Michael Clayton
Michael Clayton is a terrific mainstream commercial film adults. That is something of a rarity today. It is a solid thriller and it is also a very smart film. It gives one a lot of food for thought. It was written and directed by Tony Gilroy. The film is Gilroy's directorial debut and it is certainly an impressive one.
Clayton (George Clooney) used to be a trial lawyer. He is a flawed human being and has had some pretty bad knocks in life. Now he works for a big law firm as a fixer. He has to clean up everyone else's mess. The latest mess involves top lawyer Arthur Edens (Tom Wilkinson). Edens is trying to clear a corporation named U/North from a class action law suit. It seems that a certain pesticide manufactured by U/North has killed or made sick numerous people. But Edens conscience gets the better of him and he goes to the other side. Clayton is sent to the Midwest (where the trial is being held) to straighten things out. The powers that be want to make Edens appear mentally deficient. U/North's Karen Crowder (Tilda Swinton) has worked her way up to a big position in the company and she doesn't want anything to bring or the cooperation down.
I don't want to tell you any more of the plot. The first few minutes of the film are intense and set the mood for the film. Clooney has never been better. You have to watch his face his expressions tell us what he is feeling inside. And, yes, there are some scenes in which he looks like he is in a bad way. Wilikinson is powerful as Edens. And Swinton is quietly vicious as Crowder. Oh, and I should ad that Pollack is also very good. He and Clooney (as well as Steven Soderbergh) are producers of the film.
Michael Clayton poses some very serious questions. I have no doubt that many law firms bail out some very dangerous corporations. I am just wondering how wide spread this is. I have a feeling this happens more than we can ever imagine. This film is very much about the state of things today. So go and see it and then discuss it with friends. I'm sure that everyone will have a lot to say about themes that were brought up in the film.
Clayton (George Clooney) used to be a trial lawyer. He is a flawed human being and has had some pretty bad knocks in life. Now he works for a big law firm as a fixer. He has to clean up everyone else's mess. The latest mess involves top lawyer Arthur Edens (Tom Wilkinson). Edens is trying to clear a corporation named U/North from a class action law suit. It seems that a certain pesticide manufactured by U/North has killed or made sick numerous people. But Edens conscience gets the better of him and he goes to the other side. Clayton is sent to the Midwest (where the trial is being held) to straighten things out. The powers that be want to make Edens appear mentally deficient. U/North's Karen Crowder (Tilda Swinton) has worked her way up to a big position in the company and she doesn't want anything to bring or the cooperation down.
I don't want to tell you any more of the plot. The first few minutes of the film are intense and set the mood for the film. Clooney has never been better. You have to watch his face his expressions tell us what he is feeling inside. And, yes, there are some scenes in which he looks like he is in a bad way. Wilikinson is powerful as Edens. And Swinton is quietly vicious as Crowder. Oh, and I should ad that Pollack is also very good. He and Clooney (as well as Steven Soderbergh) are producers of the film.
Michael Clayton poses some very serious questions. I have no doubt that many law firms bail out some very dangerous corporations. I am just wondering how wide spread this is. I have a feeling this happens more than we can ever imagine. This film is very much about the state of things today. So go and see it and then discuss it with friends. I'm sure that everyone will have a lot to say about themes that were brought up in the film.
posted by Film Fanatic | 7:31 PM
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