Reviews by Matt

It may not have been the best idea to go see a movie while as tired as I was, but sometimes “you gotta do what you gotta do.” Though if you are reading this thinking “Well, he was tired, so he could not have liked it.” You would be wrong, and that is a testament to “Michael Clayton.” It is a movie that fought through my haze and really impressed despite a lack of sleep.

Michael Clayton (George Clooney) is a “fixer” for one of the most powerful law firms in the world. When the firm needs something covered up or handled carefully, they call in Clayton. For the past seven years, they have been working on a case between farmers and a pesticide company. When one of the firm’s best lawyers, Arthur Edens (Tom Wilkinson) strips naked during a deposition, Clayton is called into fix things. What he uncovers could break the case for the prosecution and the firm would end up losing the case. The firm will stop at nothing to keep the information from being made public.

I have always been on the opinion that to play crazy is a hard thing to do. To do it right takes something more than just spewing gibberish and wearing shoes on your hands and pants on your head. Arthur is a manic-depressive and was on medication for it, but decided to stop taking it just as the big case gets underway. He finds out that the pesticide company knowingly killed 500 people with their product he becomes racked with guilt. Wilkinson does an amazing job playing crazy. Most of the time it is subtle and never way over the top. When he is once again on medication, you can see him for the brilliant lawyer he is. He knows what he has to do and does it despite what may happen to him.

Cooney has always been an amazing actor. He delivers in even when the rest of the movie does not. Here he has both a strong story and strong supporting cast to help him carry the movie. Clayton is a character who is used to cleaning up the messes of clients. He knows how to spin the truth in their favor. Now he is faced with the truth that hundreds have been killed and the company knew about it and did nothing. It is a complete role reversal for him. Now, instead of covering up the truth, he is forced to expose it.

Along with the job, Clayton is forced to deal with being a divorced dad and being in debt after the business he tried to start goes under before it opens. In the hands of Clooney, this goes from generic plot device used to gain sympathy to making the character more human. Clooney makes Clayton’s personal life matter to the viewer. No longer is he the man who spins the truth for the rich, instead he comes a man who is looking for a way out and a way to make his life better. This makes the fact that he takes on Arthur’s cause all the more dramatic.

Even through the haze of no sleep, “Michael Clayton” is a riveting and intriguing drama. In a big-budget special effect ruled Hollywood, it is refreshing to see a movie that takes the time to develop characters and make the story interesting instead of worrying about the box office business.

8 out of 10
R for language including some sexual dialogue.
2 hrs