Michael Clayton (2007)

Michael Clayton, a high-priced law firm's fixer, leaves a late night poker game, gets a call to drive to Westchester, and watches his car blow up as he's taking an impromptu dawn walk through a field. Flash back four days. He owes a loan shark to cover his brother's debts (Michael's own gambling habits have left him virtually broke). Michael Clayton a movie where George Clooney makes me wish that i went back in time to see 'Batman & Robin' that although very bad it's actually better paced and much more entertaining than this political drama. (0/10)

This is a spectacularly good film about a character very much like Michael Cohen, Trump's lawyer/fixer. I watch it at least once a year, it's that good. I can't help but wonder, as I write in 2018, whether the makers of this film knew about Michael Cohen and decided he would make an interesting character for a movie. Clooney's fixer is getting older, wondering if the dirty dealers who've used him all their lives will now stand beside him in his retirement. He knows where ALL the bodies are buried, so they'll support him. Right? And of course, their betrayal of him is a surprise to no one except him, very much like Trump and Cohen. That is not a spoiler, because in the very first half-hour of the movie Clayton is nearly killed by a car bomb , which opens up the narrative question "What's going on here?" and "Who exactly wants him dead?" Questions Michael Cohen (are the similar names a coincidence?) may well be asking as he prepares to flip on Trump and testify in the polonium-filled atmosphere of today's Washington-Moscow connection.

Michael Clayton (2007) is a real piece of art, it hits every note spot on. There are certain things that I look for in a film, things i believe they must have in order for it to be a success. I look for correct casting, quality performances by the members of the cast, good script, and a satisfactory filmmaking style that fits that specific film. I can say with confidence that Michael Clayton fits the bill on every single thing I mentioned. Clooney gives a good performance as he always does, as does the ever talented Tilda Swinton (this was her Academy Award win). If you ask me, Tom Wilkinson comes out on top here as far as acting goes. He gives a fierce passionate performance. Wilkinson is a fantastic actor and he absolutely nails it here as a very crucial character in the plot. The script moves everything along at a fairly good pace, not too slow, and not fast either. I liked the pace and thought the runtime of two hours suited it well. towards the end things kinda speed it up, in an appropriate way, because everything is coming to a point. I loved the way they chose to end the film. It was raw and very dramatic, made for a grand finale to an exciting well done piece of art. 9/10 for Michael Clayton.

A story that gets much better in the second half, Michael Clayton would have been great if it had a bit more awareness towards it's pacing within the first half of the picture. George Clooney play's Michael Clayton, a middle aged 'fixer' for a law firm that clears up the problems no one else want's to deal with; and gives a very good performance, with transparent emotions, and it's among his best performances as well. The story is complicated enough, and turns into an entertaining thriller just after the hour mark, where dull moments are nowhere to be found, and interesting plot revelations reveal themselves. At first I wasn't impressed, I felt the dialogue and the scenes displayed were being dragged out to make the film longer, and just before the hour mark, I nearly drifted off, which is never a good sign, however it picks up and its rather good with some impressive moments of suspense and plenty of intelligent twists to keep you on the edge of your seat, and what makes it even better is the atmosphere, especially towards the end, you see Clayton, you can see he has a lot on his mind, and his actions and portrayal are truly excellent making the Clayton character exceptionally good.Tilda Swinton, Ray Wilkinson and Sydney Pollack also feature in the film and the rest of the supporting cast are fairly good, if nothing special. Tony Gilroy who directed and wrote this picture has done solid work regarding the direction, however his script has its ups and down's, and only improves significantly after the hour mark but it's still worth it. Michael Clayton showcases strong acting from Clooney, an upbeat second half, and an inventive, neat ending that almost makes you forgive the rather slow start.