Michael Clayton

Star Review

Grown adults faced with tangible, non-virtual dilemmas have become a rare commodity in the American cinema, so it’s encouraging indeed to encounter Michael Clayton, the Bourne screenwriter Tony Gilroy’s steely, gripping conspiracy drama. George Clooney’s corporate fixer Clayton has problems enough – crippling debts, an estranged son – even before an unhinged executive (Tom Wilkinson) thunders into his life. From the look
of disgust on Clayton’s face as he hears the exec’s deposition –
accusing a petrochemical company of poisoning several small farms – it’s clear something’s got to give.

The Bourne movies revolved around a man who wouldn’t stop moving until he found out who he was; this more outwardly serious film brings together characters labouring under the weight of too much information. Gilroy crafts intricate but nicely varied dialogue for Wilkinson and Tilda Swinton, both strong as high-fliers toppling into different kinds of corporate insanity. Best of all, though, is Clooney, engaged in his most rigorous acting workout to date: trying to maintain his usual cool under an increasingly tight white collar.

Mike McCahill on 4th February 2008

View all 124 of Mike McCahill’s reviews

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Film Description

George Clooney stars as Michael Clayton, a man called in to save a court case put in jeopardy by a lawyer (Tom Wilkinson) who appears to have lost his mind. Tony Gilroy, one of the minds behind the screenplays for the Bourne films, makes his directorial debut with this intense legal drama, that manages to steer well clear of the usual courtroom clichés.

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DVD Extras

• Audio commentary by director Tony Gilroy and editor John Gilroy. Deleted scenes with optional commentary by Tony Gilroy and John Gilroy (6 mins)

Film Details

Cast

Tilda Swinton, Tom Wilkinson, George Clooney, Sydney Pollack

Technical Details