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Michael Clayton
Michael Clayton is an in-house fixer at one of the largest corporate law firms in New York. A former criminal prosecutor, Clayton takes care of Kenner, Bach, & Ledeen's dirtiest work at the behest of the firm's co-founder, Marty Bach. Though burned out and hardly content with his job as a fixer, his divorce, a failed business venture, and mounting debt have left Clayton inextricably tied to the firm. At U/North, meanwhile, the career of litigator Karen Crowder rests on the multi-million dollar settlement of a class-action suit that Clayton's firm is leading to a seemingly successful conclusion. But when Kenner Bach's brilliant and guilt-ridden attorney Arthur Edens sabotages the U/North case, Clayton faces the biggest challenge of his career and his life.[/font]
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
Michael Clayton is an in-house fixer at one of the largest corporate law firms in New York. A former criminal prosecutor, Clayton takes care of Kenner, Bach, & Ledeen's dirtiest work at the behest of the firm's co-founder, Marty Bach. Though burned out and hardly content with his job as a fixer, his divorce, a failed business venture, and mounting debt have left Clayton inextricably tied to the firm. At U/North, meanwhile, the career of litigator Karen Crowder rests on the multi-million dollar settlement of a class-action suit that Clayton's firm is leading to a seemingly successful conclusion. But when Kenner Bach's brilliant and guilt-ridden attorney Arthur Edens sabotages the U/North case, Clayton faces the biggest challenge of his career and his life.[/font]
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