Further, the story itself and Pakula's tense direction add an extra layer by teasing the audience from start to finish with the question of whether Rusty is guilty. Is this going to be another "Jagged Edge" or will the killer be revealed as someone else at the last minute? If you haven't read the book, you are likely to remain unsure until the film's final moments.

It's been awhile since a movie has served up this kind of tension, maintained it for the film's entire length and managed a satisfying conclusion. Some, like last fall's "Sea of Love," have wonderful elements in place but self-destruct before they near the denouement.

"Presumed Innocent" declines to play all its best cards in the first hour and keeps us guessing. In addition there is that great supporting cast, with special kudos to Bedelia, Winfield, Julia and, as Rusty's down-and-dirty detective-friend, John Spencer.

Alan J. Pakula is a talented director (he also co-wrote the script) and he has constructed a film here that works quite well on every level. But he does make some odd choices.

First, in an apparent effort to contrast the sleazy personal lives of these characters with their required civility in the courtroom, he includes in the film's first half an abundance of gratuitous profanity, spoken even by characters who seem unlikely to use such language, as well as a pair of steamy sex scenes. In the second half, as we enter the courtroom, all of these excesses virtually vanish. None of it is as over-the-top as, say, "Sea of Love," but the use of profanity and sex here do seem rather mechanical and overly theatrical.

Also, one of the problems with transferring a book to the screen is that each is a very different medium and there is sometimes the temptation to impose the former on the latter. Hence, "Presumed Innocent" tends to be a bit talky, plot-thick and overly complicated at times — especially in the first half-hour or so.

Still and all, "Presumed Innocent" is one of the summer's best offerings. Let's hope it stands out as the class act it is in a season of far too much pointless screen mayhem.

"Presumed Innocent" is rated R for profanity, sex, nudity and violence.