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Michael Clayton
In theaters October 12th 2007
Language including some sexual dialogue
Run Time: 119 min
Matt's rating - 4 out of 5
Cindy's rating - 5 out of 5
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Review by Matt Mungle
If this film does anything it reaffirms the fact that
George Clooney was born to wear a suit. Not too
many people in the cinema world pull off the look like
old Clooney. Style aside Michael Clayton is a well
written, expertly acted drama that draws you in and
keeps you riveted until the end. This film screams arty
without losing its edginess. This is the first director's
chair for Tony Gilroy who also wrote the screenplay for
the film. If the name sounds familiar it is because he
also penned the screenplays for the Jason Bourne
series. In comparison to Bourne Clayton is in the
process of trying to discover who and what he is. Not
from any sort of mind games or brainwashing but
from the day in and day out deceptions of the
corporate world.
Michael Clayton (George Clooney) is a fixer for a
prominent corporate law firm in NY. With a law
background he has spent his years taking care of all
the in-house issues that arise with the firms dirtiest
situations. There is a mystery surrounding his
position and he is the guy to call when no one else is
left. Using his connections and charisma he finds a
way to coral the most out of control members and
clean up the various loose ends. The irony is that of all
the people at the firm, Michael is the most out of
control. Mounting debt, failed relationships and nerves
on the brink of shattering bring him to the point of
ultimate burn out. When a top, guilt ridden attorney
(Tom Wilkinson) begins to sabotage a high profile
client, Clayton must discern what truth to uncover and
which to leave hidden. All while keeping his own life in
balance.
The cast of this film is amazing. These are actors who
purr in any role as they move so fluid with drama and
emotion. Tilda Swinton is an executive member of the
client being sabotaged and finds herself making
decisions that she never thought she would have to
make. Swinton plays the nervous exec with believable
neurotic anxiety as her character lays it all on the line.
Swinton is comfortable in her skin and it shows here.
Tom Wilkinson's character is maniac depressive as
well as brilliant and Tom plays each trait to perfection
as he always does. Add that with Clooney's wit and
stylish charm, and of course the suit, and this movie
has it all. And the ending is top notch.
Michael Clayton is rated R for language including
some sexual dialogue. The action is mild and the
violence kept to a minimum. This is a mental movie
with the styling of a high class Grisham novel. The
language is adult and the sexual dialogue, though
descriptive and blunt is kept to one scene. The scene
so defines the characters state of mind and thought
process that it necessary and not gratuitous at all. But
it is there so be aware of that. Other than that I think
you would be hard pressed to find a better legal
drama to hit theaters in some time and I give it a solid
4 out of 5 billable hours.
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Matt and Cindy are members of the North Texas
Film
Critics Association (NTFCA). For additional
reviews
and interview clips visit the website.
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Mungleshow Productions
Matt Mungle
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