Michael Clayton (B or 3/4 stars)
'Michael Clayton' (George Clooney) is an in-house 'fixer' at one of the biggest corporate law firms in NT; in other words, he does the dirt work for the firm's co-founder, Marty (Sydney Pollack). He never liked prosecuting criminals, & he's grown to dislike his current position, as well. But divorce, gambling addiction, a failed business venture, & a $75,000 debt has left him sullenly tied to the firm. Meanwhile, U/North litigator, Karen Crowder (Tilda Swinton), rests on a $300,000,000 settlement of a class action suit that Clayton's firm is hoping to conclude. But when the firm's highly intelligent, but bipolar attorney, Arthur Edens (Tom Wilkinson) attains information which would incriminate U/North, his demise is met with heavy speculation.
U/North is a huge agrichemical company. Clayton's 'dirty' job was to wrap up Karen's case in a bow for her. However, Arthur Edens unexpectedly strips down naked in an important meeting in what seems to be one of his mental breakdowns (this leads to him trying to sabotage the case). Before long, Clayton starts to realize that him/his firm do an awfully good job at making the 'wrong' seem 'right'. One character mysteriously dies, one is subject to an assassination attempt. Word is out that the defendants' case is correct!
Everyone involved is in a fight to save their reputations, careers, & lives. Not only is he ill, but now Arthur's caught in the middle of knowing the right thing, but doing a bad thing. Marty knows about the crookedness, but representing the bad guys will keep his firm running. Karen Crowder knows that if this case is blown open, her career is over. Will she do what she knows is right, or turn to the dark side? Michael Clayton's life is already a mess, can he ignore this case (it hits home when something awful happens to a friend), or will he stand up for what's ethically & morally sound?
Written & directed by Tony Gilroy, this is a conservative, accomplished legal thriller that builds slowly, & erupts in the last 15 minutes. But it's far from Earth-shattering brilliance. It is, at times, confusing, but I'd rather be confused by an intricate plot, than be confounded by a stupid one. I liked the atmosphere created in this film; airtight, moody, cold, gray (like most of the characters ambiguous loyalties). The dialogue is highly intelligent. And while no one really stands-out, the acting is superlative. Tilda Swinton gives Karen Crowder an off-beat, icy authoritativeness. But she also lets us see that Karen's really a woman who lacks a sense of self-assurance. Tom Wilkinson is nothing less than stellar in a meaty, fanatical supporting role. And for me, this is George Clooney's finest performance to date.
My problem with the film is: while the climax is full of venomous words, scathing insinuations, & satisfying reveals, it made me feel like everything I had watched (leading up to the climax) wasn't really worth it. In fact, I almost feel like a half an hour of side plots/rehashing(s) could have been cut & still offered an effective, redemption drama. What raises this from a tepid C+/2.5 rating to a B/3 is the fantastic performances and a lack of noticeable negatives. You won't leave the theater feeling good about life. Don't see this film if you're looking for a light-hearted romp or a rip-roaring comedy. But if you're in the mood for 'this' type of film, and/or if you like the particular actors, you will appreciate this intellectual film experience.
U/North is a huge agrichemical company. Clayton's 'dirty' job was to wrap up Karen's case in a bow for her. However, Arthur Edens unexpectedly strips down naked in an important meeting in what seems to be one of his mental breakdowns (this leads to him trying to sabotage the case). Before long, Clayton starts to realize that him/his firm do an awfully good job at making the 'wrong' seem 'right'. One character mysteriously dies, one is subject to an assassination attempt. Word is out that the defendants' case is correct!
Everyone involved is in a fight to save their reputations, careers, & lives. Not only is he ill, but now Arthur's caught in the middle of knowing the right thing, but doing a bad thing. Marty knows about the crookedness, but representing the bad guys will keep his firm running. Karen Crowder knows that if this case is blown open, her career is over. Will she do what she knows is right, or turn to the dark side? Michael Clayton's life is already a mess, can he ignore this case (it hits home when something awful happens to a friend), or will he stand up for what's ethically & morally sound?
Written & directed by Tony Gilroy, this is a conservative, accomplished legal thriller that builds slowly, & erupts in the last 15 minutes. But it's far from Earth-shattering brilliance. It is, at times, confusing, but I'd rather be confused by an intricate plot, than be confounded by a stupid one. I liked the atmosphere created in this film; airtight, moody, cold, gray (like most of the characters ambiguous loyalties). The dialogue is highly intelligent. And while no one really stands-out, the acting is superlative. Tilda Swinton gives Karen Crowder an off-beat, icy authoritativeness. But she also lets us see that Karen's really a woman who lacks a sense of self-assurance. Tom Wilkinson is nothing less than stellar in a meaty, fanatical supporting role. And for me, this is George Clooney's finest performance to date.
My problem with the film is: while the climax is full of venomous words, scathing insinuations, & satisfying reveals, it made me feel like everything I had watched (leading up to the climax) wasn't really worth it. In fact, I almost feel like a half an hour of side plots/rehashing(s) could have been cut & still offered an effective, redemption drama. What raises this from a tepid C+/2.5 rating to a B/3 is the fantastic performances and a lack of noticeable negatives. You won't leave the theater feeling good about life. Don't see this film if you're looking for a light-hearted romp or a rip-roaring comedy. But if you're in the mood for 'this' type of film, and/or if you like the particular actors, you will appreciate this intellectual film experience.