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.

“Michael Clayton” is a good movie with wonderful performance, but the story is bit simple.

Michael Clayton(George Clooney) is not a normal lawyer. His role at a prestigious New York lawyer firm is a fixer. He works behind the scenes to make scandals go away. In the process, he has lost sight of who he is. It’s The story seems like the movie “ERIN BROCKOVICH (2000)” which is based on a true story, but Michael Clayton doesn’t feel involving that much. However, the performance is quite nice and could cover up the lacks.

It is a good story, but as usual as other policitcal thrillers.

The movie presents a credible story that should keep the audience’s attention. There are some moralistic questions and integrity issues throughout. But the tension is minimal since there are no real twists or turns. Also Michael Clayton adds nothing new to the standard formula of political thrillers.

Grey and dark. It’s representing the dark side of the world.

The tone of the film is composed in muted shades of grey, lost in the pure void of commercial office blocks and eerie fluorescent lighting.

The cast is wonderful and the film is filled with terrific performance.

At its core Clooney gives a nicely understated and fine performance as the man the lawyers turn to when things go wrong. Tom Wilkinson turns in a brilliant performance. Sydney Pollack is well-cast in his role as the head of the law firm hired to defend U North from this class action law suit. Tilda Swinton does a good job too.

Well written, well acted and nicely directed.

The movie is long but avoids becoming tedious and the story is complex but not so convoluted that it loses its direction.
Not as great as it could have been, but you won’t regret spending your money or time on the film though.

Short Questions

I was wondering what’s the meaning of the hourses and red book. Why did Michael stop the car just to see hourse? You could see he drove the car quite fast. Also what would the red book mean? I guess it’s a kind of symbol. Does anyone know about this?

Accessories

Still photos

Sources:

IMDB
Yahoo Movie
Cinematic Intelligence Agency