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Michael
Clayton
(2007)
 
Despite the unassuming title, this is a smashingly good thriller made
with skill and conviction, and sure to garner some Oscar nominations, if not
wins.
Michael Clayton (George Clooney) is a fixer for a prestigious law
firm. After the firm's top litigator, Arthur Edens (Tom Wilkinson),
suffers a manic episode and damages an important case, Clayton is
called in to clean things up. He learns that Edens was defending a
corporation against a class action lawsuit brought over a toxic
chemical that killed hundreds of people when his conscience caught up
to him, triggering his manic episode. Karen Crowder (Tilda Swinton),
the corporation's general counsel, hires her own fixers (Robert
Prescott, Terry Serpico) of a more deadly kind to ensure that the
truth remains buried.
Writer and first time director Tony Gilroy, who previously wrote or
co-wrote the screenplays for all three Bourne films, makes an
impressive debut at the helm with a smart, character-driven thriller
that sleekly unfolds like a cleverly planned maze. Several times I
thought the film was headed in one direction only to discover it was
actually bound for a much different destination. The rhythm of the
film is that of a slow burn, but the slower pace serves to heighten
the suspense. Instead of relying on numerous action scenes, Gilroy
turns to characterization, dialog, and a carefully plotted story to
build and sustain interest. It's a throwback to the intelligent
thrillers of the 1970s like Three Days of the Condor," and it's no surprise
the director of that film (Sydney Pollack) is one of the producers of this
film (as well as a member of its cast).
Cinematographer Robert Elswit (Good Night, and Good Luck,
Syriana) contributes low key lighting that neatly balances realism
and style, while James Newton Howard (Batman Begins, Blood
Diamond) contributes an atmospheric, almost ambient, score that plays
a big part in setting the mood for the film. Film editor John Gilroy
(the director's brother, who previously worked on Narc and First
Born) keeps the pacing tight, and the two hour film never once feels
padded.
Clooney combines his movie star charisma with a performance from the
gut to deliver a strong portrayal of the title character, a man weary
of cleaning up the messes of others, whether they be client or
relation. Clayton seemingly lives on auto-pilot, doing what he does
because he doesn't know what else to do. Wilkinson is compelling as
the bipolar attorney whose conscience finally gets the best of him,
and his manic rants ring with intensity. Swinton is sublime as Karen
Crowder, from practicing an interview to chillingly ordering murders
in a way that gives her full deniability to what she does in the final
scene. Her desperation and ambition are palpable.
This is a well-cast film from top to bottom with good performances by
the entire cast, including Sydney Pollack as the ruthless head of the
law firm, Michael O'Keefe as one of the firm's partners, Prescott and
Serpico as the other fixers, Merritt Wever as a young woman Edens is
trying to help, Sean Cullen as Clayton's police officer brother, David
Lansbury as Clayton's gambling addict brother, Denis O'Hare as one of
Clayton's clients, and Austin Williams as Clayton's young son.
The basic plot of a corporation trying to subvert justice isn't a new
one, but writer/director Tony Gilroy finds a fresh approach and plays
it out with well-drawn characters, smart dialog, and a great cast.
From the very first frame to the very last, I was completely engrossed
in the story of Michael Clayton.
-Danielle
Ní Dhighe
Other
Thoughts: Mark Moreland
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All contents ©
2004-2009 Thoughtsonfilm.com |
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Director:
Tony
Gilroy
Writer: Tony
Gilroy
Starring: George
Clooney, Tom Wilkinson, Tilda Swinton, Robert
Prescott, Terry Serpico, Sydney Pollack
Distributor: Warner
Bros. Pictures
Runtime: 119
min
Rating: R
Release Date: October
12, 2007
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