Michael Clayton DVD Review

While some people may prefer George Clooney’s comedic performances (think the Ocean’s franchise, or even “ER” moments), I, myself, prefer a serious Clooney (as in Good Night, And Good Luck). And that’s exactly what I got with Michael Clayton.

My Rating:

Clooney plays the lead, Michael Clayton, who is a “fixer” for a big law firm, Kenner, Bach & Leeden. Basically, he cleans up the messes and gets his hands dirty when no one else will. But there’s more to Clayton than meets the eye, including the fact that he was once a District Attorney who gave up that life for more lucrative earnings as the other side’s mop-up man. Clayton also has a nasty gambling habit, and the lure of easy money is keeping him in the game, so to speak. Then there are Clayton’s brothers, a cop (Sean Cullen) and a druggie (David Lansbury), as well as Clayton’s failed attempt to open a restaurant, resulting in $75,000 in debt. In short, he’s got a lot going on.

It’s no big surprise that Clayton’s colleagues are motivated by dollar signs, and the firm’s $3 billion class-action suit that they have been defending for six years is starting to unravel at the hands of attorney Arthur Edens (Tom Wilkinson, whose impressive acting resume includes Stage Beauty, In The Bedroom and The Full Monty). Edens goes off his meds and suffers a psychotic break during a deposition for the case, and Clayton is called in the sweep things up and make everything tidy.

But it’s more than the meds—it seems Arthur has a guilty conscience, and what he knows is soon passed on to Clayton. Clayton’s bosses, Marty Bach (Sydney Pollack of The Interpreter and A Civil Action) and Barry Grissom (Michael O’Keefe of An American Crime), as well as up-and-coming firm executive Karen Crowder (Tilda Swinton of The Chronicles Of Narnia, Constantine, Thumbsucker and The Deep End), are all out to make sure nothing happens that will adversely affect the firm.

The film is presented in 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen, with audio in Dolby Digital 5.1 and 2.0, as well as 5.1 in Spanish and French. Optional subtitles are available in English, Spanish, French and English for the hearing-impaired. Extras include commentary with Tony Gilroy and his brother, (Michael Clayton film) editor John Gilroy, who both discuss, among other things, continuity, as the film is like a big jigsaw puzzle. There are also three deleted scenes.

Writer/director Tony Gilroy, who also penned all three Jason Bourne films and The Devil’s Advocate, knows his way around a tense thriller, and Michael Clayton is no exception. Michael Clayton reminds me of reading John Grisham, Nelson DeMille, James Patterson or John Lescroart—it’s that good.

Michael Clayton throws plenty of curveballs, but all serve the plot well and make for an intense viewing experience. That, paired with excellent performances by the lead cast, makes Michael Clayton a thrill ride worth seeing. The film is rated R for “language including some sexual dialogue.”

I give Michael Clayton 4 stars out of 5 stars.