Michael Clayton is the second Best Picture Academy Award nominated film for 2008 we’ll be looking at before the night in question. And no, it’s not about American Football (or ‘Football’ as the Americans like to call it), but rather a legal drama in which we see George Clooney, Tom Wilkinson and Tilda Swinton give some of the best performances of their careers.
Synopsis
Michael Clayton is a “fixer” for a high profile New York City law firm. Tom Wilkinson stars as a one of the law firms leading attorneys defending the firm’s largest client (fictional U-North) in a class action lawsuit. Wilkinson’s character is also mentally unstable and has a mental breakdown during a crucial phase of this lawsuit. And finally Tilda Swinton stars as U-North’s leading legal counsel.
The story is up there with some of the better legal drama’s, in both maturity and complexity. The plot is well rounded and ably directed by Tony Gilroy; a director with surprisingly little experience to account for producing a film of this quality.
The Acting
The acting produced by this cast is extraordinary. Tom Wilkinson gives probably the best performance of his very long career as a brilliant but manic depressive lawyer. Tilda Swinton comes across brilliantly as self-conscious and full of doubt.
The real standout here is George Clooney. He’s always been an actor that can play just about any role he tries. He started off fighting mutated vegetables, been through a couple of dozen TV roles and countless comedies. He even survived being Batman… not an easy thing to do. Michael Clayton is the culmination of all his dramatic roles to date. He starts off slow and subdued and coasts through most of the movie in a believable but quiet performance. However, it is the last ten minutes of this movie that really makes Clooney’s performance. It is dazzling and spellbinding and utterly the best he’s done yet.
In Conclusion
This movie would probably rank as the more laid back of the five Best Picture nominees. The others rely on quirkiness, eye candy, terror and anger. Michael Clayton just keeps you engaged with its story and acting. It’s a film that’s truly clever and isn’t ashamed of it.
Directed by Tony Gilroy Produced by Sydney Pollack, Steve Samuels & Jennifer Fox
Written by Tony Gilroy
Starring George Clooney, Tom Wilkinson & Tilda Swinton
Music by James Newton Howard
IMDB – Rotten Tomatoes – Metacritic – Box Office Mojo
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