Michael Clayton

Warner Bros. Pictures | Release Date: October 5, 2007

7.6	USER SCORE Generally favorable reviews based on 405 Ratings

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SpangleJun 8, 2014

I typically find most George Clooney movies to be a tad boring, but this one was certainly not boring at all. Rather, it managed to have my attention from beginning to end trying to follow everything that was going on. For starters, the plotI typically find most George Clooney movies to be a tad boring, but this one was certainly not boring at all. Rather, it managed to have my attention from beginning to end trying to follow everything that was going on. For starters, the plot is a bit confusing and convoluted at times and that would be a bad thing if they did not resolve my questions at the end. Throughout, the tension is always present and keeps you on the edge of your seat as more and more questions get answered and the puzzle pieces start coming together. At the end of the day, it is amazing just how far some will go to keep their dirty secrets from being aired and, really, that is what this one is about. The film summary on many sites is somewhat accurate, but really fails to capture what this one is truly about. The writing here is also very sharp and the cinematography is very stylish as well. George Clooney is also great here, as well as Tom Wilkinson and Tilda Swinton in smaller roles. Then again, the acting as a whole was very good. Finally, the monologue delivered by Wilkinson at the beginning (and later finished as the story truly begins) is also phenomenally written and delivered. It really sets the tone for the rest of the film. Overall, "Michael Clayton" is a good, tense thriller that is a bit slow and confusing at times, but is undoubtedly satisfying.… Expand

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Compi24Apr 16, 2019

Tony Gilroy's Academy Award nominated directorial debut, "Michael Clayton," stars George Clooney as the titular legal fixer in question, whose firm encounters a snag when one of its top litigators turns coat in the face of a pending lawsuit.Tony Gilroy's Academy Award nominated directorial debut, "Michael Clayton," stars George Clooney as the titular legal fixer in question, whose firm encounters a snag when one of its top litigators turns coat in the face of a pending lawsuit. First off, as a fan of Tony Gilroy's co-writing work alone, I was pretty stoked to see this. And, to be sure, finally seeing Gilroy with his screenwriting gloves proverbially off made for such a satisfying cinematic experience. "Michael Clayton" is a carefully plotted, yet objectively engrossing story, punctuated with superb dialogue, deliberate thematic resonance, and incredible acting. It's a real bummer this didn't kick off a reinvigorated interest in the "corporate thriller" sub-genre, because the real-world feel and implications of everything just made for that much more of an entertaining watch. And, don't be fooled. Though you may find yourself questioning some decisions here and there, it all pays off in a terrifically gratifying conclusion that I won't soon forget. Fantastic work here.… Expand

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MccuskyMar 3, 2018

A real masterpiece, each character is tense and real, story is smart and reflects the moralities that people of certain companies face. Each proposed flaw in a character is a strength from another perspective and sometimes vice versa, theA real masterpiece, each character is tense and real, story is smart and reflects the moralities that people of certain companies face. Each proposed flaw in a character is a strength from another perspective and sometimes vice versa, the film draws you in with these delicate touches and each of the individuals stories. Perhaps Clooneys best performance… Expand

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bds92Sep 6, 2015

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Crime, legal, or police themed dramas have the tendency to be incredibly overblown, or simply transition into comedy. With the exception of the scene where Arthur Edens strips, Michael Clayton is actually pretty understated. The whole movie takes place on George Clooney's face, where you can see the regret, despondence, frustration and desperation of each moment where every single character is counting on him. There's no wild chase, no mystery to solve with good cops, bad cops, donuts and canines. There's a dirty lawyer, there's a dirty law firm, and there's a guy who never made up his mind about what he wanted to do with his life, or whether he wanted to be good or evil. Clooney is skilled enough as an actor to become a decent guy one moment, and a cold, heartless realist in the next, akin to the role he would later play in Up In The Air. The supporting cast is terrific, the story is realistic, Edens is a character you can both sympathize with and admonish, and Clooney carries everyone's burdens on his shoulders, if only for a little while. For such a ruthless cast of characters, this movie has a lot of heart and depth.… Expand

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amheretojudgeMay 7, 2018

i know it's a long way..

Michael Clayton As much as detailed it is, the feature wanders off onto surface where even though character has offered enough range and room to fill in, it still feels disconnected somewhat. The writing is wittyi know it's a long way..

Michael Clayton

As much as detailed it is, the feature wanders off onto surface where even though character has offered enough range and room to fill in, it still feels disconnected somewhat. The writing is witty especially on the protagonist for it is portrayed to have potential and superior than any other characters and still it goes into its desperate and vulnerable zone that helps ground the feature. Tony Gilroy; the writer-director, has done some appreciative research and work in this project which pays off well in here. George Clooney has done a decent work in it and is supported with a great cast like Tilda Swinton and Tom Wilkinson. Michael Clayton peeps into the whole "law" world and manages to make it more from it and if it had gripping screenplay, the feature would have easily entered major league.… Expand

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FilipeNetoDec 12, 2020

This film is one of those I saw out of curiosity, seduced by a short summary of its script and also by the luxurious cast, which includes George Clooney and Tilda Swinton (in my perspective one of those actresses somewhat overlooked, but whoThis film is one of those I saw out of curiosity, seduced by a short summary of its script and also by the luxurious cast, which includes George Clooney and Tilda Swinton (in my perspective one of those actresses somewhat overlooked, but who has a talent that we can't help but recognize). I'm glad I did, the film really deserves attention, even though it has been a little out of the public's attention.

The film weaves a pleasant thriller around a large law firm committed to the defense of an indigestible client: a chemical corporation, as guilty as sin in a class action filed by several plaintiffs, who accuse it of poisoning. When the lawyer leading the case, one of the most experienced in the firm, finds out the truth, has a nervous breakdown and is so possessed by his own guilt that he starts doing everything he can to report what he knows, even if it is highly damaging for the law firm that, desperate to contain damage, mobilizes a collaborator whose specialty is managing crises and dealing with difficult situations, a highly indebted man, with a life full of problems and who is adept at putting the truth into perspective. However, this situation will test his skills as well as his morality. I believe that no lawyer likes to defend unscrupulous clients that he knows they are guilty, but for the good lawyer even the Devil has the right to defense, and it is up to the lawyer to protect his client's interests as much as possible, no matter how bad he is. This thriller uses the theme of inner guilt well to question the extent to which a lawyer can dissociate himself from what he has to do professionally.

In addition to the appealing theme, the film has a truly seductive cast of actors. George Clooney is one of those actors who almost always does well in everything and has an almost bulletproof talent. Here, he gives life to an unpleasant character, someone I would not want for a friend and much less an enemy, an experienced, artful lawyer, skilled in handling facts and for whom the truth is a matter of perspective. But the actor does it in a way that it is impossible not to sympathize with the character and to realize how frustrated he is for what he does and little appreciated by the bosses themselves, despite basically doing their dirty work! Another actress worth mentioning is Tilda Swinton, who gave life to one of the directors of the chemical firm. She is a woman of few scruples and whose concern is to save the face of the firm even if it means lying unabashedly. She reminded me of those individuals who take a roasted chicken bone, wash it and try to sell it as a saint relic. The actress's performance was good enough to earn her the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress, and I think it contributed a lot to how she transformed the character into someone on the verge of a nervous or mental breakdown. But even more striking, for me, was Tom Wilkinson's performance, in a deeply tragic character.

I think the film is quite lukewarm on technical issues. There is no cinematography that stands out in any way, and the sets and costumes are basically the ones we could hope to find. In addition, we also have the fact that the film takes its time to attract our attention and to truly engage. One thing that I really liked was the way the film starts, with a whole brutal monologue about the law firm, able to take us immediately to the topic and put us right on the spotlight of the film. The scene of the car explosion was also well done and it is the moment where the special effects were able to participate more visibly.… Expand

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AsHwAtThAmADec 12, 2019

The scene plotted well.. mr.Clooney did great job.. probably his best movies ever seen..

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Richard552Aug 15, 2022

The final face off that Clooney has is pure brilliance. $1 to buy a Netflix account, Google search: vtvshare

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