Michael Clayton quickly became one of the most acclaimed films of its year upon release. What with performances from every actor being praised and pushed for Oscar, first-time director Tony Gilroy getting a pat on the back from everyone he encountered; Michael Clayton was that rare film that everyone enjoyed. It is so rare these days that we are given a really good mystery at the movies, that when we see one its like being given a great big gift.
Michael Clayton (the character) is a fixer at a large law firm that has been working on a case for a major corporation called UNorth for six years. Suddenly, their lead attorney strips down to nothing but his socks in the middle of a meeting and goes running through the parking lot. This is when Michael is called in; to fix things, to clean up, to help UNorth win a case against families who have been poisoned by the run off from their factories. For seventeen years Michael has been cleaning up messes so that big, rich corporations can stay in power. For seventeen years no one has given a second thought to whether what they do is right or wrong; until now.
Powerful performances abound in this fantastic legal thriller. George Clooney performs with quiet intensity as Michael, a man being forced to take a closer look at what exactly it is he does. Tom Wilkinson is the lead attorney, giving one of the most charismatic performances I've seen in years. And there's Tilda Swinton, finally getting the recognition she deserves, as Karen Crawford, the legal counsel for UNorth. All three went on to be nominated for Oscars, with Swinton getting a win. And yes, writer and first-time director Tony Gilroy deserves many a pat on the back for his sharply and intensely directed film. Gilroy received a writing and directing nomination and the film was nominated for Best Picture.
Michael Clayton is a perfectly crafted tale of mystery; but it's really much more than that. It's a story of redemption, of choosing to do what you know is right despite what you will lose. Michael searches for reason behind it all, only to find there is none. And it all leads up to a riveting finale. Yes, Michael Clayton is one you definitely don't want to miss. 8/10 stars!
Jay Addison
Michael Clayton (the character) is a fixer at a large law firm that has been working on a case for a major corporation called UNorth for six years. Suddenly, their lead attorney strips down to nothing but his socks in the middle of a meeting and goes running through the parking lot. This is when Michael is called in; to fix things, to clean up, to help UNorth win a case against families who have been poisoned by the run off from their factories. For seventeen years Michael has been cleaning up messes so that big, rich corporations can stay in power. For seventeen years no one has given a second thought to whether what they do is right or wrong; until now.
Powerful performances abound in this fantastic legal thriller. George Clooney performs with quiet intensity as Michael, a man being forced to take a closer look at what exactly it is he does. Tom Wilkinson is the lead attorney, giving one of the most charismatic performances I've seen in years. And there's Tilda Swinton, finally getting the recognition she deserves, as Karen Crawford, the legal counsel for UNorth. All three went on to be nominated for Oscars, with Swinton getting a win. And yes, writer and first-time director Tony Gilroy deserves many a pat on the back for his sharply and intensely directed film. Gilroy received a writing and directing nomination and the film was nominated for Best Picture.
Michael Clayton is a perfectly crafted tale of mystery; but it's really much more than that. It's a story of redemption, of choosing to do what you know is right despite what you will lose. Michael searches for reason behind it all, only to find there is none. And it all leads up to a riveting finale. Yes, Michael Clayton is one you definitely don't want to miss. 8/10 stars!
Jay Addison