I really enjoy any movie involving crime or courtrooms. It's a fascination of mine. So, when Michael Clayton was re-released, I saw it as soon as I had money.
I wasn't disappointed.
The Academy gave it seven nominations. Richard Roeper called this his favorite film of the year. It's not the best in my opinion, but it sure is close.
The film starts out with Tom Wilkinson's character, Arthur Edens, giving one of the most insanely creepy yet powerful speeches put on film. Arthur is a leading attorney at a high-powered law firm(and also a manic-depressive who has stopped taking his medicine) who has just stripped naked trying to rid himself of the filth he feels he is covered in. It turns out that he has some key information reagrding a six year long class-action lawsuit against a major client- a mega-corporation called U*North- and he is willing to spill the beans. George Clooney is Michael Clayton, an ex ADA and current "fixer," an attorney who specializes in arranging immunity for defendants. He's the best in the business, and he has to deal with the potent situation.
This film does two things amazingly well. First, it succeeds in carrying a splitting moral message about truth and conscience. It tells it's story with flair and passion. It has great focus and doesn't stray far from it. It's a very tight picture.
Secondly, the characters breathe and live. Clooney, Wilkinson, and Tilda Swinton, who plays the borderline-unstable U*North's chief council Karen Crowder, are all great. They all deserve the nominations they have from the academy.
The film is powerful, plain and simple. It's just explosive! I loved it. The only bad thing I can say is that the film most likely won't stand up to many rewatches. it's a very powerful and impressive achievement, but it doesn't have the familiarity that Juno provides, or the uniqueness of No Country for Old Men.
But go see it anyway. It's in my top 10 of the year.
92/100
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