Michael Clayton (2007)

brilliantly dense and subtle

The film is deliciously dense. It's so clearly a film written to be a film; it treasures the visual medium. Dialogue is often minimal, and the viewer is forced to pay attention. The story is told in the details, and I thought I was missing things at first. It's subtle and seems subdued until the last ten minutes, when all the details and images come together seamlessly. It's a film that gets better the more you think about it; one further realizes how intentional every frame is.

I've enjoyed many of Tony Gilroy's films, but I may have to actually watch The Cutting Edge now. I'm quite curious about the one film that doesn't fit with the rest of his resume.

Overall, I think it was better than No Country for Old Men, which won the Best Picture Oscar. They're certainly both great movies, but at the end of the day, Michael Clayton felt more complete. I'm incredibly partial to movies written to be movies rather than those adapted from books. They're different means of storytelling, and they're not always as compatible as producers seems to think.

George Clooney was good. Tilda Swinton was good. Tom Wilkinson was amazing. Sydney Pollock was great.

Rent it when you're in the mood for an intellectual thriller. Buy it when you realize it hasn't left your head for days. Watch repeatedly.
December 30, 2008

The less you know, the better

The less you know about civil litigation, the better you'll like Michael Clayton. The film is generally well-acted, though you may wonder why the rather hammy Tom Wilkinson drops into an Irish brogue in his big dramatic scene. George Clooney proves that he can carry a movie; having seen him only in the Ocean's series, I'd thought he was George Hamilton without the tan. Sydney Pollack is quite believable as the managing partner.

The tricky and very arty opening adds little to the film except unnecessary confusion. If you wonder why Clooney goes over toward the horses, that's the director's homage to a much better film, The Asphalt Jungle, which is as taut and believable as this film isn't.

As for the legal background, writer-director James Gilroy didn't even begin to do his homework. Wilkinson's contacts with the plaintiff are as unethical as the evil corporation's withholding of the key document. By the way, the plaintiff would have requested all reports made about the product (duh!), and all Wilkinson had to do was send a copy to opposing counsel, as he would ethically be required to do. Furthermore, when a lawyer begins to have a breakdown during a big case, the firm would bring in a more senior and more experienced partner. Bring in someone who didn't make partner? Only in Hollywood. December 19, 2008

A film with the right parts, but ends up being too staged

The film does have a strong feel and Clooney gives a solid performance. I found Pollack's lawyer especially sharply drawn and convincing. In the end, the movie becomes another rehashing of The Insider. The screenwriter tried to create the typical conflicted sub-plot of the protagonist's battle with his professional/moral obligations and his personal struggles, etc, however this was not highly nuanced. Of course their was the divorced dad angle too for more contrived emotional push. The one liners that are stirring in the trailers turn out be banal in the context of the plot, which turns into a simple-minded rampage of a corporation hell-bent on eliminating all whistle-blowers. As for the attorney who "sees the light", although strongly performed by Wilkinson, his self-revelation becomes cliched scene-by-scene. December 10, 2008

Corporate/Suspense...Great Combo!

I was a bit skeptical about this movie when I first heard about it, but I finally got around to picking it up on Blu Ray. First off let me start by saying this movie is not for people who only want action, explosions, and shootouts. Ill start off with the BD details: The picture is excellent on this film, its smooth and the skin tones have a nice color and smooth texture, the outdoor scenes are very crisp...I was impressed with the picture. The sound is only 5.1 DD, this was a bit disappointing, but got the job done nonetheless. Clear highs, great voice depth, and deep lows when needed...I cant complain to much.

Now onto the movie...I will admit I sat down to watch this and figured it was gonna be slow, however its a good paced slow. I enjoyed the characters, and George Clooney did an excellent job. His position at a huge law firm requires him to be serious and quick on his toes...George does this perfectly and really convinced me.

I found myself enjoying the "thinking" throughout the entire movie, who did this, whats going on with that, it made for a very good experience! I wont give away any spoilers, since they are the best part of this movie. All in all id say this one is definitely worth checking out, you wont be disappointed. November 20, 2008

Worth it

I would have liked to watch this again. Saw it once. I enjoyed the performances, and the quiet but deadly build-up. As I recall, no car chases, which is a blessing in any movie. Tilda Swinton's role as the unraveling robot is masterful. Clooney plays a corporate burnout well enough to be one. Some people call it predictable, but I did not find it so, because I viewed it more as a character study that a plot-driven story. The guy who plays Clooney's friend has a great turn at a monologue that shows how clever -- and sane -- he is, despite everyone believing he's nuts. November 14, 2008

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