Review of Michael Clayton (2007) by Ben P — 28 Jul 2012

Michael Clayton: Do I look like I'm negotiating? .

"The Truth Can Be Adjusted".

What a movie. My rating doesn't quite give justification to how smart and well executed this film is. When I revisit the film(which I certainly will), I'm sure I'll be giving it a much higher rating. It's one of those movies that can only get better with multiple viewings. The best way to describe Michael Clayton is by calling it a "slower burn" thriller. It's extremely slow in its plot developments, which could sound off-putting, but it really isn't. The plot is so deep with information that the slowness of the film almost guides us through everything that is going on. .

Michael Clayton is a fixer with a major law firm. He gets called in to clean up screw ups. The one he gets called in for with this film is huge. An attorney who is defending a corporation he knows is guilty has a breakdown during one of the proceedings. He strips off all his clothes. Clayton stumbles his way through the film trying to make sense of everything that is happening. The film is pushed by a great score that always keeps the tension at a high. Also helping with that is a fine directorial debut from Tony Gilroy. .

I don't really know how to describe the cast involved in this one. They are all magnificent. The standouts are Clooney, Swinton, and Wilkinson. Their performances go a long way in making this one of the better acted films of the 21st century. I loved Clooney as Michael Clayton. I think it was an easy choice, maybe too easy of a choice. Could you even imagine someone else in that role? I can't. Even though Swinton and Wilkinson steal their scenes, the movie is still 100% George Clooney's. If you're going to give someone that much power over a film, might as well be Clooney.

In the end, this film demands your attention. If you don't like those type of movies, skip it because it will just frustrate you. If you like those demanding type of movies, this is a great one. It's definitely a thriller, but not The standard definition of one. When we hear thriller, we automatically think; guns, explosions, car chases, etc. Well this doesn't have much of those things. What it has is a phenomenal screenplay that is brought to life by a phenomenal cast. .