Starring: George Clooney, Tom Wilkinson, Tilda Swinton
Directed by: Tony Gilroy
(15), 120 mins, 2007, United States
What's the story?
Well, it sounds like any other courtroom drama: small people sue big company, one lawyer (Arthur Edens, played by Tom Wilkinson) stands up against them, big company tries to eliminate the problem, and so on and so on, but there isn't a courtroom in sight and the film's all the better for it. When in the middle of a testimonial Edens starts running around naked, it's not the lawyer who's in our focus but the fixer, Michael Clayton (played by Clooney), who comes in and sorts out the mess (which is a shame, because we'd much rather see George in the buff than Tom Wilkinson). As Clayton gets further into the situation, things become darker and his allegiances are tested until he finds himself lethally involved.
Who's in it?
George Clooney take the lead as Michael Clayton and does a gritty job of being a disgruntled employee who's too good at this job, but still sees his friends, family and business ventures all conspiring against him. Tom Wilkinson gives a great performance as the lawyer who loses it for all the right reasons, and Tilda Swinton reprises her villainous streak from ‘Narnia' as the neurotic counsel chief for the company.
Liking
The idea of the case is pretty standard, but it's great to see what goes on from a different angle, which makes the story pretty tense stuff. Unlike most dramas of this kind, you come out with the refreshing feeling of being more pissed off with someone other than the lawyers.
Not liking
At the beginning it goes on at such a pace that you lose sense of what is happening at times and it's only until about halfway through that you get time to recap and get a grip on the plot. Other than that, there's not a jot to gripe about.
Verdict
A tense and gripping thriller that draws you into the world of Michael Clayton. Although isn't groundbreaking, it's definitely a great watch.
Rating
4/5
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