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| Michael Clayton | 
| Category: Movie
Buy New: $14.99
Avg. Customer Rating:  203 reviews
Sales Rank: 3483
Rating: R (Restricted)
Media: Video Download
Running Time: 120 minutes
ASIN: B00149KENO
Theatrical Release Date: October 12, 2007
Release Date: August 29, 2008 (New: This Week)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews:
 A Nice Suprise! June 19, 2008
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
I haven't seen too many American films in the past 20 years that I have actually really enjoyed. What most people view as future classics (i.e. "Titanic", "American Beauty", "Little Children", etc...) just didn't do it for me personally. So when my wife rented this one the other night, I again had my doubts after being let down so many times as of late. To my pleasant surprise, "Michael Clayton" was a fabolous flick!
George Clooney is Michael Clayton, a high-end New York attorney whose main job in the firm is to clean-up or fix messy situations. While he's been very successful in his career as the firm's "janitor", his personal life is in complete disarray (yes, the irony is a bit too overt, but this is Hollywood after all). When one of the firm's senior partners, Arthur Edens (played to the hilt by Tom Wilkinson) suffers a nervous breakdown after six years defending a corrupt billion-dollar agrochemical company (U-North) therefore threatening to compromise the case, Michael is called upon to clean up the mess and help his old friend and colleague. However, Clayton soon discovers that his crazy comrade Arthur may actually have a valid reason for going off the deep end, when he begins to unearth the corrupt cabal spearheaded by the villainous Karen Crowder (Tilda Swinton), the lead counsel for U-North.
Clooney once again proved to me why he is the closest thing to the second-coming of Cary Grant or Clark Gable, with a magnificent performance as the morally conflicted attorney trying to keep both his personal and professional life from falling apart. He is sans his usually swagger in this understated performance, as Clayton is a man of few words, silently suffering from a myriad of problems while doing his very best to keep his life from collapsing completely. The rest of the cast is superb as well, especially Swinton, Wilkinson, and a surprisingly excellent Sydney Pollack (Marty Bach, the firm's senior partner and Michael's boss).
While the film never strays from being very suspenseful, those of you who are action addicts may be a bit disappointed and consider this a `slow' film. It's a somber, realistic and intelligent movie that is brimming with symbolism. A film you need to pay close attention to from beginning to end in order to understand the intricate plot, so make sure you watch it without any distractions. You may even get lost in the middle of it, but no need to fret, for everything comes together nicely in the end (some people may argue too nicely, but for me personally, it works).
I enjoyed everything about this one. Writer and first time director Tim Gilroy (past screenplays include "The Bourne Identity" and its sequels, "Proof of Life", "The Devil's Advocate" etc...) paints a much more realistic and intelligent story than his past efforts. Also, the film's hauntingly beautiful score was outstanding, kudos to James Newton Howard ("The Fugitive", "The Prince of Tides", "Blood Diamond", etc... etc...) as he successfully added so much to the film's never-ending suspense and drama.
This is definitely my favorite film of 2007. I would highly recommend that you give it a shot. Five Stars!
 Sloooow June 13, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Oh my god this movie was slow. It was the most un-thrilling thriller I have ever seen. I didn't even feel any real moral or emotional struggle in the Clayton character. Tilda Swinton was weird and sweaty. Only Tom Wilkenson was enjoyable, even though he's the nut case.
Claytonmation June 9, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
Continuing to up his personal ante as a dramatic actor since winning the Oscar for Syriana, George Clooney delivers his latest excellent performance in "Michael Clayton." Clooney plays a bagman in a prestigious law firm, where his duty is to be 'the janitor.' His job is to head for whatever client is in the worst mess and to clean it up with the least amount of residual damage. It's sleazy and he knows it, but he knows he's good at it.
But he starts to feel the tug of his moral compass when his best friend (Oscar nominated Tom Wilkinson) has a nervous breakdown while defending a chemical company. Seems he's discovered that U-North is guilty as they get and wants to save the family of the young lady he is supposed to be thwarting. The firm sends in Clayton to rescue the case from impending disaster...but soon he finds himself in the middle of more than he bargained for. Think of it as Erin Brockovich with intrigue.
U-North is ready to get ruthless, and Oscar winner Tilda Swinton plays the boss of the company with a thin veneer of sweating fear around her tightly controlled executive prowess. The final scene, where Clooney confronts her, is a marvel. The movie avoids pandering and - even at two hours - is tightly edited for the story. If you're looking for a sophisticated legal drama, this is Sydney Pollack at his finest.
Good writing, acting & directing June 7, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
If you like taut action, extremely well crafted and directed, then Michael Clayton is a must-add to your collection. In the lead role, George Clooney is compelling and believable, backed up with a super supporting cast including Oscar-winner Tilda Swinton (for this role). Woven around the intricacies and inner workings of big-time law firms and corporations, the pacing is extraordinary, the dangerous technique of beginning the film with part of the resolution is carried off perfectly, and the final few scenes blend both pathos and justice.
not what I expected June 5, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
To me, it's "just another lawyer movie". Don't get me wrong, it's a great story, but it's been done so many times, that in the end... it gets boring.
I did not find Clooney's acting to be out of this world or even extraordinary. I found it quite plain and void of feelings. Didn't feel any interest in any of the characters.
I also didn't understand why Swinton got an Oscar, she didn't give that great a performance.
I did enjoy the cinematography, the editing, Tom Wilkinson's acting, and the last scene between Clooney and Swinton.
That said, don't watch if you're tired, as the film can be slow at times.
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