Caught Coppola’s The Rainmaker on TV last night, one of his weaker efforts, visually undistinguished, narratively a mess with that constant annoying voice-over. And yet it’s one of those films I’m drawn to watching over and over again because….isn’t Coppola great with actors? Here Matt Damon and Claire Danes, so delicate and true, and now seeming so young. Danny Devito playing up to his persona and being funny with it. But it’s in all the supporting cast that we see how Coppola brings out the best in actors: Jon Voight as a rich, slick, charming sell-out; Roy Scheider in a tiny role, making an impression and delighting with the way he elongates his lines, picks his pauses; Mary Kay Place, unrecognisable and moving as the mother; Teresa Wright as Damon’s landlady offering her warmth, depth and range in her last film role. And this is not even mentioning others with bigger roles (a still recognisable Mickey Rourke, Danny Glover as the judge, Virginia Madsen as a lovely bruised blonde with big hurt eyes) or those in tiny roles (Dean Stockwell as the corrupt judge at the beginning is so great with a few lines; and Randy Travis as the juror who jumps out of the jury box to assault the lawyer). I’m sure I’m forgetting some of them. But what a great cast, all judiciously cast and at their very best. For Coppola.

José Arroyo