On a whim my friends and I popped in Michael Clayton, and I knew that it was a big movie but I didn't really know what it all was about. I do like George Clooney, and Tom Wilkinson was fantastic in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, so I figured I'd probably enjoy it.
Michael Clayton, directed and written by Tony Gilroy, tells the story of the title character's experiences with a legal firm where he works as a "fixer." No one outside of the legal firm really knows what he does. The firm is working on a very long case for UNorth, an environmental business that has been targeted by many people, as their operations have seemingly caused harm to people. Wilkinson plays Arthur Edens, a partner in the legal firm who, after studying the case for six years, starts trying to throw it all away; at least, that's what it seems to the firm. He is a manic-depressive, and the firm and Clayton just believe that he's not taking his pills, but Clayton comes to find out that UNorth has a shady memorandum that they have kept hidden from the public. Sound confusing? It is, and I explained it the best I can.
The film is really confusing. From the beginning, we are thrown right into the mix of Clayton's life. From three horses in a pasture to cars blowing up, we are tossed headfirst into this legal thriller and end up thinking, "What the hell is going on here?" The first hour or so is pretty hard to get into, as we're reeling from all of the events that are taking place that we have no idea about. Finally, through smart dialogue, we get the gist of what's going on in the legal battle, but it's still really hard to understand. You can't stop thinking for a second about what's going on, because it comes at you at blistering speed.
I like how there is minimal music to the movie, giving more attention to the tense dialogue rather than hitting us with some low-key notes on a piano. Clooney and Wilkinson are the stand-outs in this movie, really showcasing their talent for smart deliveries and edgy conversations. Their scenes together are where we see the best displays of emotion. Tilda Swinton's portrayal of Karen Crowder, UNorth's head legal counsel, is not so much a stunning performance as it is a minor role to move the plot along. We don't see her too much throughout the whole movie, but when we do we can see by her nervousness that she will do anything for her company.
Article comments
1 - El Bicho
"The film is really confusing."
I didn't find the movie as confusing as you make it out to be.
2 - Ryne
Really?
Both my friends and myself were confused for about half way through it, until we heard through dialogue some of what was going on. After that, if the audience pays attention, they should be okay.
3 - Lisa McKay
I didn't find it especially confusing either. This was one of my favorite movies from last year.
The hit-and-run scene did an excellent job of setting up for us what kind of a dirty job Clayton had.
4 - Ryne
Yeah, the hit-and-run scene did show us what Clayton did.
It certainly was a good movie, however I've heard a lot of people say they thought it was pretty boring.