Michael Clayton

Featuring: George Clooney, Sean Cullen & Tom Wilkinson

Format: DVD | Rating: 15 years & over

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 Not a Thriller but an Interesting Movie Nonetheless

| | See all deanlowdon's reviews (348)

Lawyer Michael Clayton cleans up tricky legal problems for his companies wealthiest clients. After years on the job he's had enough, he's middle-aged, divorced and realizes that his career is going nowhere. Unfortunately he remains dependent on the company thanks to his gambling troubles and a failed attempt at opening a bar. When one of the companies partners goes AWOL after working on a case for six years Clayton is sent to get him back on the job but soon begins to unravel an uncomfortable truth about the case.

The movie forgoes action for the most part, instead choosing to let the truth behind the case slowly (perhaps too slowly on occasions) unravel through glimpses at legal documents and out of context conversations that really require the viewer to concentrate. Each of the major characters comes across as well rounded with some good performance throughout but the movie is held together by George Clooney, who remains a terrific screen presence, and his characters gradual development plays a huge part in the movies overall success.

I have heard Michael Clayton described as a thriller, and that is perhaps the wrong word to use, but it is certainly an interesting movie and well worth investing two hours of your time.

 Actors often create the drama - and here they definitely do

| | See all MekQuarrie's reviews (4)

Michael Clayton is a worthy and enjoyable movie that overcomes its faults (although these are few) by the onscreen performances alone. Clooney is mesmerizing in the true sense of the word and reminds us (often with timing alone) that not all fathers are interested in estranged children, not all brothers are best buddies and not all fix-it lawyers end up rich. The final denouement is a massive letdown - on paper - with a 'gotcha' trap that would only briefly have graced 70s television as original, but such is the emotional interplay between the triumphant Clayton and the crumbling Crowder that this rabbit from the hat is largely irrelevant. In a similar vein, the obvious dramatic weakness of the necessary incriminating documents being mass-photocopied to encourage us to hold our breath, only staves off cries of "e-mail, digital camera, scanner, PDF, internet!" by it being a necessary dramatic outcome of Edens' mental state. Sydney Pollack is not normally an actor who I would rate, but the few minutes of the few occasions in which he is in shot are satisfying character moments where we instantly become confident of what he will say or do next; a more than reliable performance. Swinton's Crowder is straight out of the Shakespearean tradition where her previously formidable resume is challenged and crushed within seconds of the dramatic action beginning. The 'four days previously' structural device is not particularly necessary, but allows for a certain structuring of the excitement (which I suggest is completely un-necessary), but spookily presages the form and mood of TV show 'Damages' (with parallels ad infinitum). I'm not sure what the point of the horses was (no mysticism implied), but it was certainly time worthy of reflection. Sit back, relax, and enjoy. Oscar material for sure.

 Clooney is great as a troubled soul

| | See all inisbeag91's reviews (503)

This film starts out very slow but picks up the pace after a car explosion. Clooneys friend at a leading law firm loses his mind and goes naked throughout a meeting. Clooney is a fixer and he is sent in to deal with it. However other factors have to be taken into account as he has lots of gambling problems. Tom wilkonson is clooneys friend and he is excellent, clooney is also brilliant too but tilda swinton is the best as a legal counsel for a firm wilkonson was investigating

 Truly excellent

| | See all twilightchick1's reviews (10)

what a fantastic film, watched it unsure of just what a truly brilliant film this is. Fantastic cast and george clooney really shines showing that he is a talented actor as well as being completely gorgeous .

 an acting feast with a great story

| | See all DOBBIEbear's reviews (2)

from the opening credits when tom willkinson is on a rant you will be hooked and it gets better with too many great actors to mention with fantastic preformances george clooney just about steals the show in a great legal thriller. MUST BUY ..... MUST SEE

 GOOD THRILLER

| | See all Lepetomane's reviews (116)

One of Mr. Clooney's better efforts, alongside the likes of Syriana. Defo like George in these kind of movies. A very engaging thriller which I'd Sky +'d ages ago. Glad I got round to watch it as it made very good viewing with great performances from Tom Wilkinson and Tilda Swinton in particular. More of the same please George.

 Clooney at his best.

| | See all scornpaul's reviews (4)

This is a great film, great plot, great acting and great suspense... G.Cloonster was at his best, amoungst others.

 good legal thriller

| | See all albertIIjr's reviews (437)

clooney delivers a great performance as a burnout 'lawyer' (a fixer for a big lawyer firm actually) who encounters the limits of his endurance. there's been just one ugly chapter too much in this job, one that delivers a dilemma evolving to the plot of hits movie.
Gilroy is not only a gifted screenwriter and directs a very good debut movie about the twilight zones within the law, loyalty, friendship and personal weakness(es)
recommended

 Worthy Thriller

| | See all Gardsy86's reviews (13)

Michael Clayton is the debut directorial feature from long time Hollywood screen writer Tony Gilroy, the writer behinde the 'Bourne' series and the writer of this film also. He has without a doubt created a film worthy of the 'thriller' tag.

The film centres around a law firm in New York city and it's main 'Fixer' Michael Clayton, a man who takes care of the firms dirty work outside of the court room. When a fellow attorney Arthur Edens finds some damning evidence against a huge company named U-north things begins to spiral out of control. Edens has the evidence and is seemingly going to release it to the public, something the companys own lead attorney Karen Crowder has to prevent at any cost, but with Edens seemingly losing his mind things go from bad to worse for the central characters.

This film relies heavily on the performances of its main players and to a certain degree they deliver, especially George Clooney as the title character, a burnt out man with a failed marriage and failed business behinde him with his drug addicted brother, he is at rock bottom, struggling with money issues and his own job. Clooney really is on form here. Tilda Swinton as Karen Crowder is also watchable, a seemingly callous individual who will stop at nothing to put a lid on the evidence that could ruin U-north. But the surprise here is certainly Tom Wilkinson as Arthur Eden, he really puts his all into his characters and has some great scenes, one with Clooney that takes place in an alleway is a definate highlight.

All this plays out relatively well, first time director Gilroy handles his script with relative ease and has crafted a thriller which is watchable for is entire run time, keeping you guessing and leaving you in the hands of the characters to keep your interest up. All of this plays out against a dull dank back drop, reminding us that this is a world where under handed tactics are ones that will get you ahead and the characters world is a very bleak a cold one.

This is helped by the cinematography of Robert Elswit, who is no stranger to working with Clooney having directed photography of his directorial feature 'Good Night and Good Luck' and also the Clooney starrer 'Syriana'. He has crafted a lighting technique that causes things at times to play out in soft focus, a nod toward the characters lack of clarity in this unscrupulous world they inhabit.

The supporting cast are also great, especially Sydney Pollock as Michael's long time co-worker Marty Bach, who knows that Clayton is the best at what he does in the legal world. This is a worthy thriller with some genuine moments, whilst it is a slow burner and doesn't force feed the audience with explanation after explantion of the proceedings (one of this films strongest points) it is still a good piece and Clooney really is on form here.

 Brought it and sold it.

| | See all Myatt94's reviews (32)

This film has the worst storyline ever and it was not what i expected. I was expecting a fast-paced, heart-pounding thriller except all I got was an extended version of the Firm and that wasn't a good film either. Very dissapointing.