One of the only five-star reviews I've ever given I'll admit that it's tough for me to give anything five stars, because it's the near-equivalent of saying something is perfect. Well, "Michael Clayton" is a thoroughly enjoyable piece of cinema. The movie is well-cast, particulary with regard to Clooney, Wilkinson, Swinton and Pollack. It's even nice to see Danny Noonan from "Caddyshack" back in action.
If you're looking for some sort of high-action shoot-'em-up full of pursuits, stunts and explosions, please look elsewhere.
Legal Thriller Packs a Whallop I didn't have much enthusiasm for "Michael Clayton". I thought the legal arena on film had been definitely tackled by Sidney Lumet's "The Verdict" some 25 years ago. Boy, was I wrong! Without entering a courtroom except for a filmed deposition this film casts a jaundiced eye on the legal profession that knocks you for a loop. The film centers on a prestigious law firm as it prepares the defense of a multi-national in a class action lawsuit. Michael Clayton(George Clooney) is the firms fixer, a lawyer who handles the more unsavory aspects of a case without sullying the firm's reputation. Though Clayton is a flawed individual he starts to have doubts about his activities. This is heightened when a manic-depressive colleague(Tom Wilkinson) who is the chief defender in the lawsuit begins to display erratic behavior. Clayton is not so much redeemed in this film but he wants to erradicate some of the muck that he wallows in. This is bar none Clooney's best performance. He's called on here to play a seriously flawed person and yet engender sympathy from the audience. It's not a mannered work but a carefully modulated one. The real revelation here is Wilkinson, though. Many actors have chewed the scenery playing characters with mental problems but Wilkinson plumbs the depth of Arthur to deliver a highly sympathetic and humane performance. Judging Wilkinson's work here I would have given him the Oscar over Javier Bardem in "No Country for Old Men". By an eyelash. The late Sydney Pollack delivers a fitting epitaph to a storied career as the straight-talking senior partner. Judging from her work here I was a little puzzled by the Oscar Tilda Swinton won. She's certainly good but there's nothing earth shattering about her performance. My guess it was more of a body of work thing.
Bought a DVD Speedy delivery from the USA to Europe. Happy, both with item purchased and with the speed. To be recommended
Michael Clayton review Never pre-judge. I thoroughly enjoyed Michael Clayton and would highly recommend it. I almost didn't buy it because a friend had seen it and didn't care for it or "get it". I thought it was very well done, enthralling, and had that element I love, a twist at the end.
Just Bad I had high hopes for this film, and it let me down at every turn. I know people don't like to read negative reviews, so I'll keep this short. First, the plot reminded me of a Lifetime movie. Second, there's a difference between playing a character low key and just coming across bored; even a developmentally-disabled half-deaf person is going to have at least a visible physical reaction to seeing his car blow up twice. Third, the only actor the viewer can feel anything for is Arthur, who is a direct rip off of Paddy Chayevsky's Howard Beale from the phenominal "Network." Fourth, George Clooney seems to think he's Sean Connery, and he's not. I've taught drama and scriptwriting for thirty years, and although I wanted to like this movie, I just couldn't.
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