Review of The Lincoln Lawyer (2011) by David J — 20 Jul 2016

The Lincoln Lawyer is an engaging, smoothly acted film, featuring Matt McConaughey playing a suave, smart lawyer who is ballsy enough to do what others may find distasteful: defending criminals (who are often guilty, according to some of the script lines).

Though you don't really notice, the rest of the cast somewhat disappoints. Ryan Phillippe has his moments but is overall pretty shaky as the young man on trial. Marisa Tomei fails to project the same level of conviction as Matt's righteous but kind ex-wife.

The film doesn't end as smartly as I would have liked, with a bigger emphasis on an explosive confrontation than a slick courtroom manuever, but the film was very enjoyable and avoided any big pitfalls.