Michael Clayton

Dir Tony Gilroy 

George Clooney, Tom Wilkinson, Tilda Swinton, Sydney Pollack, Michael O’Keefe. 

Michael Clayton (Clooney) is a ‘fixer’ for a top tier law firm, who are currently in the middle of a $3billion dollar lawsuit against an agricultural conglomerate called U-North. The lead lawyer for the lawsuit is Arthur Edens (Wilkinson), has just had a break in his mental health, and those around him scramble to fix the situation – and call in Michael. 

Michael must now contend with helping his friend, meanwhile keeping his bosses (Pollack and O’Keefe) happy – as they are under pressure from one of the top executives at U-North – the cold and calculated Karen Crowder (Swinton). 

Dialogue heavy, there is little action – and has some tense dramatic moments. The screenplay is very well written – and it is complemented by a great score from James Newton Howard.  

Lead star Clooney is just okay – and doesn’t really add anything except the star power of his name. It just feels like another ‘George Clooney being George Clooney’ film. It is his co-stars the native British actors Wilkinson, and Swinton who shine here. They both pull of flawless American accents. Swinton won the Supporting Actress Oscar for her work. 

While on paper this should be a brilliant watch (7 Oscar nominations), it was ‘just’ okay. The final moments of the film feel a little rushed too. 

This one I could go either way on recommendations.  

3/5