Michael Clayton (2007)

Save your money for something good and enjoyable

best movie i've ever seen.

It's funny watching the elements come together in this complicated scam. On one hand, the set-up isn't quite as complex as it seems, but there's an easy sense of fun in every exchange.

Through painfully honest and emotional moments, the movie becomes irresistibly relatable

Michael Clayton (2007) is a real piece of art, it hits every note spot on. There are certain things that I look for in a film, things i believe they must have in order for it to be a success. I look for correct casting, quality performances by the members of the cast, good script, and a satisfactory filmmaking style that fits that specific film. I can say with confidence that Michael Clayton fits the bill on every single thing I mentioned. Clooney gives a good performance as he always does, as does the ever talented Tilda Swinton (this was her Academy Award win). If you ask me, Tom Wilkinson comes out on top here as far as acting goes. He gives a fierce passionate performance. Wilkinson is a fantastic actor and he absolutely nails it here as a very crucial character in the plot. The script moves everything along at a fairly good pace, not too slow, and not fast either. I liked the pace and thought the runtime of two hours suited it well. towards the end things kinda speed it up, in an appropriate way, because everything is coming to a point. I loved the way they chose to end the film. It was raw and very dramatic, made for a grand finale to an exciting well done piece of art. 9/10 for Michael Clayton.

This is one of the most intelligent thrillers you are ever going to see on film. Michael Clayton is one of my favorite films of all time. The line-up of all star actors should make this movie a clinic for anyone even thinking about acting. The writing is so precise that even the off-hand dialogue is remarkable. Just listen to the phone conversations and the comments people make to off screen characters.I can guarantee that you won't find a thriller with such a well developed protagonist as this movie and the director does it by saying so little. We have the briefest glimpse of Michael's relationship to his family yet it says a lot about him. The same is true of the bond between he and his boss played by Sydney Pollack who is at least as good of an actor as he was a director, and he was a great director. He is fabulous in this film.Tom Wilkinson really landed on my radar with the role he has here. I'm sure that I'd seen him before but I never paid much attention to actors' names.The story is told in jerky cutbacks. I've now seen the movie so many times that I can't remember how this affected me on the first viewing. Now that I just saw it for the umpteenth time I think that the storyline is brilliant.There are so many iconic and memorable scenes in Michael Clayton it's almost impossible to list them all without just going from beginning to end and writing them all down. The card game scene is creepy and you just know that this sort of sordid action really happens in NY. The part where Michael goes to the rich a-hole's house about the hit and run is riveting.The ultra-creepy corporate snuff squad that is called in to fix the problem was, for me, one of the most compelling aspects of the movie, and that's saying a lot because I loved so many things.The ending is so electrifying and satisfying that it's hard for me to think of another movie that rates this high on endings. Breaking Bad takes the cake in this department but Michael Clayton is right up there.

In the title role of Michael Clayton, George Clooney is described by himself as exactly that. Whenever there's a big mess he's the one they send in to clean it up. The law firm under managing partner Sydney Pollack has a real mess on his hands. One of the firm's top attorneys Tom Wilkinson has gone off the deep end. He's representing a chemical company accused of poisoning people with a new insecticide they've developed. Cleaning up this mess might be just a baby sitting job with Wilkinson who mentored Clayton. But it has the potential to be worse because this company is guilty as sin and will do anything to limit the liability and keep their good name.Michael Clayton was nominated for a flock of Oscars including Best Actor for George Clooney as a much flawed hero. Takes a while for the better angels of Clooney's nature emerge. Tom Wilkinson as the lawyer with both conscience and schizophrenia steals the acting honors though. He was nominated for Best Supporting Actor. Michael Clayton got a flock of other nominations including Best Picture.The film did take home one bit of Oscar gold. Tilda Swinton as one of the chemical company executives who also has an attack of conscience got a Best Supporting Actress Award. She's quite good herself.The film is an interesting look at big business and the high priced lawyers they must retain to keep them out of trouble. Sad in some cases we have to rely on consciences coming to the fore for any justice at times.Michael Clayton, a well done piece of cinema.

When Reviewing a Near Perfect Film there is a Tendency to Let Loose so many Adjectives and Accolades that the True meaning of the Praise becomes Overwhelmed by the Verbiage. Such is the Situation with "Michael Clayton".Rarely does a Movie contain Greatness at Virtually every level of the Craft. What also Surprises is that the Tone of the Film is Low-Key and completely Character Driven, Although the Plot is as Topical and Important as they come.It's Complex (divert the eyes during one key scene and the reason and meaning of the important horse scene is lost in ether). The Actors are all on the same Wavelength and Contribute equally to the Film's enormous Critical Approval. The Writing is Profound, Philosophical, and Touching, with razor Sharp Wit and Symbolism.Every Character is Flawed (save the yet to grow up child) and show Dual and Destructive Behavior. But Each Personality makes its Mark and Lingers. The Movie Haunts. It Enters the Psyche and will Not Leave until You Give it its Due.The People that brought You this decidedly Different Masterpiece of Movie Making are Writer/Director Tony Gilroy, Indelible Screen Performances from George Clooney, Tom Wilkinson, Tilda Swinton, and Sydney Pollack and Supporting Roles that every Actor Nailed.A Welcome, Against the Grain Film that Restores the thing that the most Popular form of Entertainment in modern History can be at its Best. Sensational and Sublime. Note…Multiple viewings are recommended to fully appreciate.