<P> On review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 51% based on 51 reviews, with an average rating of 5.5 / 10 . On Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 50 out of 100, based on 15 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews". Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "B +" on an A+ to F scale . </P> <P> Pat Collins, from WWOR - TV, said that the film was, "A heart - stopping, spine - chilling, adrenaline - pumping, run - for - your - life thriller ." Roger Ebert praised the film and gave it 3 / 4 in his review . Film critic Brian Lowry of Variety wrote in his review: "Pakula does a remarkable job in weaving and making sense of these complex strands . Although there's plenty of suspense as Darby and Gray evade her pursuers, the director eschews the cheaper tricks of the trade, respecting the audience's ability to keep track of what's going on . Also, Brief is a relatively gore - free thriller, with most of the violence effectively conveyed offscreen ." Film critic Janet Maslin of The New York Times wrote in her review: "The Pelican Brief is best watched as a celebration of liquid brown eyes and serious star quality, thanks to the casting of Ms. Roberts and Denzel Washington in its leading roles . Neither of these first - rate actors is shown to great dramatic advantage, but they both do a lot to make the movie shine ." </P>

Who played victor mattiece in the pelican brief