First there was “The Firm.” Then “The Pelican Brief,” “The Client, “A Time to Kill” and “The Chamber.” Now, do we really need another movie based on a John Grisham novel?If that novel happens to be “The Rainmaker,” then the answer is yes. Directed by Francis “The Godfather” Ford Coppola, “John Grisham’s The Rainmaker” brings audiences a story that is both poignant and funny.Fresh out of law school, Rudy Baylor (Matt Damon of “Courage Under Fire” and the upcoming “Good Will Hunting”) faces an all-too-dismal job market. He settles for a job doing grunt work for Bruiser Stone (the well disguised Mickey Rourke), a pimped out, sleazoid attorney whose interests include chasing ambulances and topless bars. Coaching Rudy through all of this is self-described paralawyer Deck Shifflet (Danny DeVito of “L.A. Confidential” and “Get Shorty”). DeVito plays the ideal sidekick for the oftentimes bewildered Rudy, cracking a joke at all the right moments. Together, they tackle Rudy’s first courtroom case. His client, Donny Ray Black (Johnny Whitworth of “Bye Bye Love” and “Empire Records”), a young leukemia victim, has been denied payment for treatment by Great Benefit, his insurance company. Leading the defense for Great Benefit is corporate lawyer and legal titan Leo F. Drummond (Jon Voight of “U-Turn” and “Mission: Impossible”). Backed by an entourage of assisting lawyers, Leo attempts to intimidate the young Rudy, making him wonder if he is in over his head. At first, the legal system appears to be working in Leo’s favor. However, remember this is Hollywood.Major strengths of “The Rainmaker” are that it is well directed and well acted. Included in the cast are Theresa Wright (“The Good Mother”) as Miss Birdie, a cheeky old woman who takes Rudy in as her tenant/yardboy, and Claire Danes (“William Shakespeare’s Romeo + Juliet”) as Kelly Riker, an abused young wife. Cameo appearances include Andrew Shue and Randy Travis. Backed by a talented cast and great director, “The Rainmaker” does Grisham justice.