This text is replaced by the Flash movie.

Michael Clayton

(2007) Drama - Rated R

Directed by: Tony Gilroy

Starring: George Clooney, Tom Wilkinson

Overview: A ``fixer'' at a corporate law firm faces the biggest challenge of his career.

RATINGS:

  • OVERVIEW
  • REVIEWS
  • PHOTOS
  • USER COMMENTS (6)
  • CAST

  • Michael Clayton

    A ``fixer'' (George Clooney) at a corporate law firm faces the biggest challenge of his career when a guilt-ridden attorney (Tom Wilkinson) has a breakdown during a class-action lawsuit.

    Photos

    See all photos (29 photos)

    Reviews

    REELZ REVIEW
    "Clooney gives a rock solid performance in this legal thriller...."  [more]
    — John Halecky

    User Comments and Video Reviews

    Please Log in or register to comment on Michael Clayton.

    • youkillmefrank

      03/09/08 01:06 PM
      How else can I put it, I loved Michael Clayton. The most obvious reason that really stuck out to me that was very well done was Oscar-nominee Tony Gilroy’s directing, for a first-timer it was amazing. The way he blended the music was flawless, especially seen in the first five minutes. Tony even did an awesome job with one of my pet peeves about movies, voice-overs. Some are done very crappy and I hate, I wasn’t even a fan of the Jim Carrey voice-over in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. A different case with this movie, I really liked it, especially in the first voice-over, it showed you images that I felt meant nothing, but it was appealing to me and made total sense to put them there for a reason I’m still not quite sure.

      Oscar-winner George Clooney proved that he isn’t just another pretty face and does really well, but was almost outshined by his co-stars Tom Wilkinson and Tilda Swinton. Tom Wilkinson’s performance as Arthur Edens a lawyer who had a major breakdown was both memorizing and memorable, it left me breathless. Tilda Swinton’s somewhat overrated performance was also great; I’m not saying it warranted an Oscar, but it was good enough to get a nominated.

      I also liked the cinematography from Oscar winner Robert Elswit .His imagery of the office and some beautiful landscapes are truly stunning. I’m glad he got the Oscar, even if it wasn’t for this movie. He truly deserved it.

      The final thing I loved was the musical score by James Newton Howard. It took hold of my pulse and pulled me in from start to finish. Yet it was still beaten out by an overused typewriter effect.

      I didn't really like the ending of this movie either. I know some will disagree with me but I felt it was played for laughs. I wasn't sympathetic to Tilda Swinton's character.

      Rating: A great thriller, my favorite of 2007
      Review Rating: 0
      Characters remaining: Submit Cancel

    • John Halecky

      ReelzChannel.com, October 12, 2007


      George Clooney plays the title character in this legal thriller from writer/director Tony Gilroy. Clooney is a ‘fixer’ lawyer at a huge law firm in New York City. He’s the one you call when you have a situation you need cleaned up discreetly. When one of the firm’s top lawyers Arthur Edens (Tom Wilkinson) has a meltdown and is about to blow one of the largest cases they have, Clayton gets tasked to reign him in to fix the problem. Once Clayton starts to delve deeper into what made Edens break down and what he is talking about, he starts to discover that there are some more devious dealings happening behind closed doors than previously thought.


      Clooney is rock solid in his performance as a lawyer who wrestles with his conscience and can’t get out from under his troubles which include gambling, a divorce and a failed restaurant business. Tom Wilkinson shines as the borderline crazy supporting lawyer who might just be on to something. And Tilda Swinton gives a reserved, restrained performance as an insecure litigator whose career rests on the outcome of the case. This is definitely a legal thriller in the vein of The Pelican Brief or The Devil’s Advocate, which writer/director Tony Gilroy also penned. It’s not as uplifting as Erin Brockovich, but it’s not as much of a downer as A Civil Action.


      I liked this movie but I wanted to love it. It’s entertaining enough and the final showdown scene between Clayton and Swinton’s character is great, but I wanted it to be more. Maybe I found it tough to relate to and feel sorry for a high paid New York lawyer who has gotten himself to this point in his life with his debt and other struggles when that is the choice he must have made when he began his career at this firm. He chose to be this ‘fixer’ and now he’s having a change of heart? Maybe it’s too little too late for Clayton. He could use his own fixer.


      ReelzChannel Rating:  7

  • 29 photos. Click to enlarge.

    • aardvark

      01/27/08 12:07 PM
      Great performances by Wilkinson, Swinton, Clooney and Pollack. Great story and well written.
      Review Rating: 0
      Characters remaining:
      Submit Cancel

    • spotlessalmond

      02/10/08 05:11 PM
      This was, of course, another one of George Clooney's, how you say "inteligent" films. I didn't really want to see this film at first, but when I had heard that it was re-released in theaters, I HAD to see it. Honestly, I was more than impressed, and this is not just because I am a fan of George Clooney's acting. Although the story might be hard to pick up for some, it moved moderatly fast. The character Clooney portrayed, I grew to have mixed emotions for. Almost a demented coming of age story with mixed paths. I can't wait to see this movie again and catch parts that I haven't quite filled in the plot holes for. That is why I rate this movie, a Buy.
      Review Rating: 0
      Characters remaining:
      Submit Cancel

    • atadley3127

      02/25/08 10:18 PM
      Great movie and great performances. Though I must say that the roles weren't that hard to play. It is a great movie and George Clooney once again gives a hell of a performance.
      Review Rating: 0
      Characters remaining:
      Submit Cancel

    • youkillmefrank

      03/09/08 01:06 PM
      How else can I put it, I loved Michael Clayton. The most obvious reason that really stuck out to me that was very well done was Oscar-nominee Tony Gilroy’s directing, for a first-timer it was amazing. The way he blended the music was flawless, especially seen in the first five minutes. Tony even did an awesome job with one of my pet peeves about movies, voice-overs. Some are done very crappy and I hate, I wasn’t even a fan of the Jim Carrey voice-over in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. A different case with this movie, I really liked it, especially in the first voice-over, it showed you images that I felt meant nothing, but it was appealing to me and made total sense to put them there for a reason I’m still not quite sure.

      Oscar-winner George Clooney proved that he isn’t just another pretty face and does really well, but was almost outshined by his co-stars Tom Wilkinson and Tilda Swinton. Tom Wilkinson’s performance as Arthur Edens a lawyer who had a major breakdown was both memorizing and memorable, it left me breathless. Tilda Swinton’s somewhat overrated performance was also great; I’m not saying it warranted an Oscar, but it was good enough to get a nominated.

      I also liked the cinematography from Oscar winner Robert Elswit .His imagery of the office and some beautiful landscapes are truly stunning. I’m glad he got the Oscar, even if it wasn’t for this movie. He truly deserved it.

      The final thing I loved was the musical score by James Newton Howard. It took hold of my pulse and pulled me in from start to finish. Yet it was still beaten out by an overused typewriter effect.

      I didn't really like the ending of this movie either. I know some will disagree with me but I felt it was played for laughs. I wasn't sympathetic to Tilda Swinton's character.

      Rating: A great thriller, my favorite of 2007
      Review Rating: 0
      Characters remaining:
      Submit Cancel

    • monk3y01

      03/24/08 12:46 PM
      this movie was a good movie. it was my kind of movie.
      Review Rating: 0
      Characters remaining:
      Submit Cancel

    • drewtheg

      04/05/08 10:52 AM
      great suspense, great acting, great story
      Review Rating: 0
      Characters remaining:
      Submit Cancel
    Log in to Review or Comment on this movie

  • Crew

    Director Tony Gilroy
    Producer Steve Samuels
    Producer Jennifer Fox
    Producer Kerry Orent
    Executive Producer Steven Soderbergh
    Executive Producer Jim Holt
    Executive Producer Anthony Minghella

Related ArticlesAdd as an RSS feed

MOVIE NEWS

Sunday, February 24

  • Tilda Still in Shock About Win

    Tilda Swinton is backstage at the Kodak discussing her win with press. She looks kinda happy and, honestly, kind of tired, which she admits to. Her dress is interesting to say the least, sort of a velvety hefty bag.

    When she won the Oscar® for Best Supporting Actress here at the Kodak a few minutes ago, her look was one of total shock. Asked about this moment, this was her response: "I had a reverse Zoolander moment where i though i heard someone else's name and then sloooowly heard my own. I'm still recovering from that moment..."

    During her acceptance speech, she mentioned that she was giving her Oscar® away to her agent. Surely she was kidding, right? “I’ve given it to my agent,” Swinton clarifies. “Not only does he deserve it, but he really does look like this,” Tilda says with a straight face holding up her newly minted gold naked man.

    So who did she think was going to win if it wasn’t going to be her? “I kind of thought Ruby Dee would win, but frankly, anyone but myself.”


    Posted 02/24/2008 by Jeff

    Tilda Swinton | Michael Clayton

Tuesday, February 19