Mainstream critics went wild for this elliptical drama in which the eponymous protagonist (played by George Clooney)—a troubleshooter for a large Manhattan law firm—has second thoughts about his life and work after being assigned to rein in a rogue colleague (Tom Wilkinson). The directorial debut of screenwriter Tony Gilroy, Michael Clayton takes two hours to tell us something we already know or suspect: namely, that The Whole Damn System Is Rotten. Wilkinson's character, unbalanced to begin with, goes bonkers altogether and ends up sabotaging a multimillion-dollar liability suit. Tilda Swinton effectively plays an attorney (barely keeping it together herself) for the big bad corporation, and Sydney Pollack does a bang-up job as the amoral head of Clayton's firm. Granted, there's something a bit too contrived and self-aware about the way Michael Clayton unfolds, and Gilroy wears his sense of moral rectitude like a shiny new badge, but it's still refreshing to see a rare adult movie that doesn't automatically pander to young and callow audiences, which is probably why this one nabbed so many glowing reviews—not to mention a slew of Oscar nominations, including Best Picture. [Note: DVD extras include audio commentary by writer-director Tony Gilroy and editor John Gilroy, additional scenes with optional commentary (6 min.), and trailers. Bottom line: a solid extras package for this multiple-Oscar nominee.] (E. Hulse)
Michael Clayton
Warner, 120 min., R, DVD: $28.98, Feb. 19 Volume 23, Issue 2
Michael Clayton
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