Oscar Watch: "Michael Clayton" Review
| Movie: “Michael Clayton” | Theatrical Release: | October 12, 2007 |
| MPAA rating: Rated R for language including some sexual dialogue. | Gecko Rating: |  |
“Michael Clayton” unlike it’s fellow Oscar contender “No Country For Old Men” is a slow-burning movie, simmering it’s way to the climactic ending (which we have already seen a part of in the beginning of the film). There is no fancy cinematography, no overly complicated storyline - there is complexity, however. What is moral? What is right and wrong? Who can these characters trust? The movie feels like a mixture of “Erin Brokovich” and some John Grisham story.
George Clooney (looking dapper and attractive for a change) is Michael Clayton, an attorney whose role at his firm does not match his “wills and trusts” title. Indeed, several times in the movie, he refers to himself as “a janitor,” assumably because he cleans up messes.
More after the jump (spoilers ahead)!
The movie begins with Clayton playing cards and then being called by his firm to help one of their client’s with a hit-and-run case. The client, who lives in a super posh area, is not happy with how his meeting with Clayton goes, they part ways and, as Clayton drives away he inexplicably stops, gets out of his car and walks up a hill to where three horses stand. It’s quiet, sweet and strange and then, out of nowhere, his car explodes. The next scene begins four days earlier.
It’s hard to go into detail without ruining the movie but we quickly learn that Clayton’s well-polished exterior fails to tell the real story of his life. He doesn’t own the beautiful Mercedes he drives, he doesn’t live with the son he takes to school every day, he owes $75,000 to bad people, he doesn’t have a social life nor does he see his family very much. It isn’t a great existence and, at some point, it is revealed that he has tried to get out of it by asking for a different job, opening up a restaurant, etc… but here he is, stuck in this existence.
Marty Bach (Sydney Pollack), the head of the law firm, is trying to manage a situation in which one of their top partners (Arthur Edens played by Tom Wilkinson) stripped naked during a deposition hearing (he also ran around the parking lot) for one of the firm’s most important clients, U North. Karen Crowder (Tilda Swinton) is U North’s chief legal executive and she’s definitely a piece of work - she’s immaculately groomed, says all of the right things, seems in control of every situation she’s in and is, well, very unlikable. The company is being sued for toxic pollution and, there’s no doubt about it, they are guilty. The problems begin when Arthur goes off of his medication, becomes enamored with a young woman who is part of the suit against U North and decides to help her prove her case against them.
The rest of the movie revolves around how Michael Clayton weaves his way in and out of this situation while managing his money troubles and weekly visits with his son. It’s not a film where you are going to leave saying “wow, that was unexpected” or even “let’s get those polluting companies.” What you may remember is how well the cast worked together, how strong the acting was and how effectively the plot was executed.
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POSTED IN: Action/Adventure, Crime, Drama, Film Genres, Film Reviews
2 opinions for Oscar Watch: "Michael Clayton" Review
moggy
Feb 24, 2008 at 2:15 pm
Clooney looks great and does a good job but there’s no beating “No Country For Old Men’
Jeanne
Feb 24, 2008 at 5:32 pm
Amen, moggy. “No Country” = “no contest.”
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