MICHAEL CLAYTON

"I am not the person you kill"

As a celebrated attorney at New York's biggest law firm bathes in his own insanity by stripping naked during the firm's most important deposition, their fixer Michael Clayton (Clooney) is sent to clean up Arthur Edens' psychotic break. Delving into Edens' files and reports on the firm's U/North class action defence, he discovers that the six year case his friend had been building was not one of defence but prosecution with the shocking truth taking its toll on his sanity. But as Michael uncovers more his investigations draw him into something much bigger and could even threaten his life.

When the writer of the 'Bourne' Trilogy moved behind the camera for his directorial debut most of Hollywood took notice but can Tony Gilroy deliver a movie to match his writing talent.

The story of a man employed solely to fix problems for a law firm is a character that has a lot of potential and one that can do for the crime thriller what Jason Bourne did for spy movies. Michael Clayton is whom New York's top law firm turns to when they have problems with a case or a client gets into real trouble. With his connections to the NYPD and criminal justice system and his knowledge of the law, Michael can solve problems that no other employee can. This should have created a character that was just as complex and interesting as Bourne but unfortunately he isn't.

From the beginning the movie sets out to be a potboiler, with a plot that simmers away for most of the duration of the movie, gently building up its temperature until it boils over but when the film finally gets to boiling point it certainly doesn't spill over. The premise itself is good but its execution is neither original nor intriguing. A big company doing anything to get out of a billion dollar class action suit is nothing new and someone having to risk their live to do what it right also isn't unique of plotlines but 'Michael Clayton' doesn't even try to try something original.

Even the presence of a top-notch cast and the backing of big name producers like Steven Soderbergh or Sydney Pollock can make the movie more interesting. This doesn't mean that the performances of the cast are not first rate however. George Clooney is becoming one of the best actors and filmmakers working in cinema today. As Michael Clayton he creates a character that is easy to watch but not as complex as he could have been. This is no fault of his own however, as the script is clearly at fault. Tilda Swinton also brings as much as she can to her unoriginal role of Karen Crowder, the new U/North VP who will do anything to keep the truth quiet. It is Tom Wilkinson provides the best performance however as Arthur Edens, the man who cannot take what he has discovered or the consequences of defending the undefendable, sending him into a psychotic break. This is Wilkinson at his best and proves that the British actor is one of our best.

'Michael Clayton' is a very disappointing movie, especially when you take into account the calibre of the cast and the filmmakers behind it. While the film does try to build to something, the disappointment of the predictable finale completely lets down everything that director Tony Gilroy and the cast have achieved in the build up. This is a movie that should have been so much more, instead you will feel like serving a class action suit.

PICTURE & SOUND

Presented in Anamorphic Widescreen 1.85:1 with a Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack, the movie is presented well.

BONUS FEATURES

Deleted Scenes (5.34 mins)
Three deleted scenes that show more of Michael's home, his meeting for more information on the case and setting the booby trap. They are accompanied by optional commentary by director Tony Gilroy and editor John Gilroy.

Feature Commentary with Tony Gilroy and John Gilroy
The writer/director and his editing brother talk about how 'Michael Clayton' came to the silver screen. The pair talk about pitching the movie, developing the script, Steven Soderbergh's involvement and getting George Clooney on board, as well as tales from the production and working with such a strong cast. This is a good commentary that fans of the film will enjoy.

Other Releases
Previews of 'Be Kind Rewind', 'Jumper' and 'Valkyrie'

OVERALL

The DVD treatment for 'Michael Clayton' is saved by the extremely good commentary. The lack of interviews or behind the scenes featurettes will come as a disappointment to fans who want to know more about how this film but they have the right to expect more.

DVD

Class Action

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2007