Morgan BellREVIEW: Michael Clayton
April 3rd 2008 16:19
Directed & Written: Tony Gilroy (Proof Of Life, The Devils Advocate)
Starring: George Clooney (Syriana, Three Kings, The Perfect Storm), Tilda Swinton (Narnia, Constantine, The Beach), Tom Wilkinson (Stage Beauty, Girl With A Pearl Earring, The Excorcism of Emily Rose)
An otherwise boring and tedious film is worthwhile watching for the performance of Tilda Swinton in the role that won her an Oscar. Michael Clayton (Clooney) is a "fixer" at a law firm who represents a large chemical company. He uses his contacts in the police (as a former district attorney) to "fix" the problems of the firms wealthy clients. He is broke from gambling debts and a failed venture with his drug-addict brother and continues in a thankless job without promotion just to keep the debt collectors at bay. Swinton is Karen Crowder, a highly-strung executive at the chemical company. Wilkinson is a guilt-ridden senior partner at Claytons high priced firm who suffers from bi-polar disorder, when he burns out and comes off his meds he compromises the defense of the lawsuit against the chemical company client. Clooneys law firm is in the middle of a corporate merger and his job and reputation are on the line with this single case, there is pressure from all directions with his son, brother, colleagues and clients relying on him. This film is really slow and is basically a less interesting version of Erin Brokovich . . . the main difference being that we are not certain of Michael Claytons morals until the end . . . is he a no good opportunist who doesnt care for the facts? or will his sense of right and wrong eventually force him to acknowledge how critical his role is in the case? Swinton is fantastic as a woman determined to succeed at any cost, she is nervous and sweaty and anxious proving she knows her actions are wrong but her self-interest drives her to proceed with evil doings regardless. The settings are boring and gloomy office interiors, there are endless scenes establishing Claytons financial dire straights . . . they just seem unnecessarily long . . . there is an improbable polt device of trying to tie in a book Claytons son is reading with Wilkinsons nervous breakdown, crucial clues to the case, and the attempted murder of Clayton . . . the end is at the beginning and the epilogue is a little humdrum . . . it is dry and serious . . . it was barely holding my attention except for waiting for Tilda to come back on screen.
Starring: George Clooney (Syriana, Three Kings, The Perfect Storm), Tilda Swinton (Narnia, Constantine, The Beach), Tom Wilkinson (Stage Beauty, Girl With A Pearl Earring, The Excorcism of Emily Rose)
An otherwise boring and tedious film is worthwhile watching for the performance of Tilda Swinton in the role that won her an Oscar. Michael Clayton (Clooney) is a "fixer" at a law firm who represents a large chemical company. He uses his contacts in the police (as a former district attorney) to "fix" the problems of the firms wealthy clients. He is broke from gambling debts and a failed venture with his drug-addict brother and continues in a thankless job without promotion just to keep the debt collectors at bay. Swinton is Karen Crowder, a highly-strung executive at the chemical company. Wilkinson is a guilt-ridden senior partner at Claytons high priced firm who suffers from bi-polar disorder, when he burns out and comes off his meds he compromises the defense of the lawsuit against the chemical company client. Clooneys law firm is in the middle of a corporate merger and his job and reputation are on the line with this single case, there is pressure from all directions with his son, brother, colleagues and clients relying on him. This film is really slow and is basically a less interesting version of Erin Brokovich . . . the main difference being that we are not certain of Michael Claytons morals until the end . . . is he a no good opportunist who doesnt care for the facts? or will his sense of right and wrong eventually force him to acknowledge how critical his role is in the case? Swinton is fantastic as a woman determined to succeed at any cost, she is nervous and sweaty and anxious proving she knows her actions are wrong but her self-interest drives her to proceed with evil doings regardless. The settings are boring and gloomy office interiors, there are endless scenes establishing Claytons financial dire straights . . . they just seem unnecessarily long . . . there is an improbable polt device of trying to tie in a book Claytons son is reading with Wilkinsons nervous breakdown, crucial clues to the case, and the attempted murder of Clayton . . . the end is at the beginning and the epilogue is a little humdrum . . . it is dry and serious . . . it was barely holding my attention except for waiting for Tilda to come back on screen.
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Comment by Winston
Small Thoughts on Big Questions
Comment by Aimzster
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The Jeepney Stop
Comment by Morgan Bell
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its definately worth a watch, there are some great performances, its just a little dull and drawn-out in part
hi Aimzster,
George Clooney is good in this, but Tilda Swinton is great . . . i must admit i do have a slight obsession with Tilda though haha
Tilda related posts:
"Androgyn witch charms boy artist . . . "
about her keeping a husband and a young lover . . . an examination of her androgyny on film and in real life
"OK so im getting obsessed with Tilda Swinton now . . . "
about her past contributions to the arts
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
I really enjoyed this film too for its understated delivery in a genre that is usually ridiculous in its manufactured structure.
Clooney and Wilkinson were great but i agree Tilda is something special. (Orlando and The War Zone being my other two favourite Tilda performances)
If your interested you can read my review of it HERE
Comment by Morgan Bell
Deep Pencil
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I just had a look at your review and left a comment over there too
if someone told me tilda swinton developed a stomache ulcer from playing her part i would have believed it - thats how convincing her portrayal of anxirty and stress is - she is a real talent