One of the most satisfying thrillers in recent memory. Powerhouse performances all around and a truly intriguing storyline from first-time director Tony Gilroy (writer of the Bourne films) lead Michael Clayton to success.
George Clooney gives us the excellent performance we've come to expect from him as the film's namesake - a high-powered New York lawyer who fixes tough cases. When the lawyer (Tom Wilkinson) assigned to a particular high-profile case suffers a mental breakdown, it's Clayton's job to try and keep things in control for his firm. But as the movie progresses, more complications arise in the case and it quickly becomes his own skin that needs saving as well.
Tilda Swinton, for having won an award for her performance, was surprisingly underwhelming. Not terrible by any means, if anything just the victim of so many other great performances. The real treat was Tom Wilkinson, as the mentally unstable Arthur Edens. Were it not for some guy named Anton Chigurh (perhaps you've heard of him?), Wilkinson would be the year's best supporting actor.
Be warned, the film is a bit slow to develop early on, but not without reason. Even early on, Michael Clayton establishes a connection with its viewers, so that we're hit hard throughout during its many twists and turns. By the time everything comes full circle at the end, that connection leaves us in a state of movie-going bliss. Don't miss this one.
3.5 stars out of 4
8.5/10
1 comment:
Totally agree about Tilda Swinton. I saw it before she won and was questioning her frontrunner status the entire time. If only it had been Cate. But I loved Tom Wilkinson in this, too!
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