Michael Clayton [Blu-ray]
Studio: Warner Home Video Release Date: 02/19/2008 Run time: 119 minutes Rating: RGeorge Clooney’s performance drives this tense corporate thriller from Bourne trilogy screenwriter James Gilroy, who makes his directorial debut here. Clooney is the eponymous “hero,” a burnt-out lawyer who cleans up legal messes created by the clients of a large law firm. When a crisis materializes in the form of the firm’s top shark (Tom Wilkinson) suffering an apparent meltdown while defending a shady chemical company from lawsuits, Clayton discovers not only a cover-up to deny payments to farmers injured by the company’s products, but a chance to find some purpose in the face of his life’s downward. Clooney (who also co-produced the film) brings soul and quiet determination to his beleaguered character, and there’s excellent support from Wilkinson, Sydney Pollack (also a co-producer), and Michael O’Keefe; Gilroy’s script also does a solid job of stacking the deck against Clayton as he attempts to ferret out the truth behind the cover-up. Unfortunately, the film settles for a pat conclusion that, while emotionally satisfying, feels forced and delivers an overly simplistic message (corporations can be bad; morally questionable work can make one feel dirty). And Tilda Swinton is wasted in a thankless role as the chemical company’s nerve-wracked and unsympathetic legal counsel. Still, Clooney fans will appreciate this fine addition to his growing roster of flawed heroes. – Paul Gaita
User Ratings and Reviews
5 Stars Graet Movie
Although this is primarily a vehicle for George Clooney, the movie is blessed with a strong cast who never fail to convince. Tom Wilkinson, Tilda Swinton and the late Sydney Pollack inhabit their characters completely. The film is bleak, but not without hope, and a nice twist at the end.
4 Stars Legal Cover-up/Thriller
Filmed in New York and Wisconsin, George Clooney and Sydney Pollack provide excellent performances, as do the other actors. Michael Clayton (Clooney), once a brilliant litigator for a legal firm, has become a “fixer”. He “fixes” things. He gets caught up in a web of deceit and cover-up and finds out something that puts his life in jepoardy. Although a little slow, it is not too slow. It is interesting watching the plot and characters unfold. It is about the legal system, law suits, and cover-ups and is similar in plot to the Erin Brockovitch movie.
4 Stars 3 stars out of 4
The Bottom Line:
A twisting, tangled thriller that benefits from stellar turns by a justly-rewarded Tilda Swinton, a tired-eyed George Clooney and a manic Tom Wilkinson, Michael Clayton isn’t an especially-deep movie but it is highly recommended to those who like their films smart.
5 Stars brooding morality tale
George Clooney plays Michael Clayton, a washed-up lawyer who has taken on the role in his firm of “fixer” or “bagman” — the guy who clears up all the messes. It’s a fine, understated performance at the center of this intelligent thriller.
“Clayton” follows in the tradition of “Erin Brockovitch” and “A Civil Action” in which the protagonist has to expose a cynical, evil corporation poisoning people and the environment. The difference is that Clayton is a very reluctant crusader who only springs into action when a colleague mysteriously commits suicide — or so we’re supposed to think.
Clooney plays the best kind of hero, the kind that redeems a failed life and career by doing the right thing. Tilda Swinton also delivers a fine performance as the general counsel of the aforementioned corporation. Tom Wilkinson is perfect as a lawyer cracking up.
The tension builds slowly until the final 20 minutes when everything comes together. I found it completely absorbing.
5 Stars Michael Clayton
Great movie, great product no problems at all. Delivery was prompt and the product was as advertised.
Filed under: Blue Ray Movie Reviews