Slowburner but brillant
I felt the need to write this review having seen some of the reviews that put this film down.
My favourite bad review was the one that sad I didn't understand the 1st 20 minutes so I turned it off !
Well lets start at the beginning it is a tad confusing as the plot isn't given away straight away and you start 4 days later then when the film is set.

George clooney is really good in this and its nice to see an actor who could star in big blockbusters, take on meaty roles, since Clooney starred in the aweful 'Batman and Robin' he has seemed to looked for a variety of good roles. He is great in this as the Lawyer/ fixer tormented my what his job really is.
Tilda Swindon is superb as the corporate person who only cares about her career, and Tom Wilkinson plays the part of the lawyer gone awol perfectly.
If you like plots that are slow to unravelled, acting that is 2nd to known, and a good thriller, then this is a film for you.

If you want guns, beautiful actors and easy to follow plots EG ' heres the bad guy, heres the good guy, heres some guns' then leave this alone and go and rent Batman and robin !


brooding and stylish
Really enjoyed this film and I am really am not easy to please (so I am told). No need for me to add words to what other more literate reviewers have said. Really good.

Solid Thriller- Great Performances
The plot outline of "Michael Clayton" is not new. A man who has lost his way finds redemption by doing the right thing in the end.
What sets this apart is the quality of performances and excellent direction. Clooney, Swinton, and Wilkinson are top class.
The director also makes the film more interesting with the relatively slow movement of the plot at the beginning.
There are some great scenes, such as those with Clayton doing his work and forced to bring his son along with him as he has custody for the day.
Swinton well deserved her Oscar for her performance as the lawyer who has gone past the point of return and has no conscience to wrestle with any more.
One complaint would be the ending which is perhaps a bit too swift and tidy.
Overrall though a very good film.

Engrossing
After watching the first 15 to 20 minutes of this film I suspected that I wasnt going to get into this, but bare with it. Its a film that you have to concentrate on to get a full appreciation for. This is a story-driven film so if its action you want ... then you better off with the usual Hollywood trash sort of movie that is easily found. This movie on the otherhand is intelligent and deep. At first it was slow to drag me in but once my interest was gained I had to watch it until the end. You dont get too many film on corporate espionage so the genea doesnt feel tired unlike some other films such as James Bond and the like.

The script is interesting, the acting is very believable from all concerned and the film leaves you with a strong feeling that you need to see the bad guys get their 'just-deserves'. I tried a few times to predict where this film was going, but to its credit I was never able to predict how the story would develop. Great film and worth a buy.

Who is Michael Clayton?
I was given this for my birthday. My wife and I watched it. It should've been a movie we both liked but it wasn't nearly as good as we hoped.

It isn't bad but it is quite slow.

If you really like Mr. Clooney then rent it but otherwise don't bother with purchasing!

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