Michael Clayton

IMDB info
Let's get straight to the story. Michael Clayton is about what's in the movie title, a 'fixer' (fix problems for the company although the definition remains vague) who got involved in the investigation of a corporate scandal, came to reveal the truth and along the way, reassess and unearth his own virtue.

If you expect the visual impact from a blockbuster, this's definitely not your choice. There isn't even much 'twist' or action to set your adrenaline pumping. In fact I relived from this movie the same sensation I experienced with 'Gosford Park'... except I blanked out (dozed off) for about 10 seconds right in the middle. The opening voice over is rather grand and philosophical, telling you in heated hisses how the narrator experienced a moment of rebirth and thought it a cue for him to cleanse the world. The highlight was thrown in very early : Michael's car blew up, followed by a long-winded insipid flashback that connects the narrator to Michael and how they came to be involved in the lawsuit. The build-up was extremely slow, dotted by psychotic conversations and Michael's family life. He's divorced and spares too little daddy's attention on his son who recommended him a fantasy book titled 'Realm and Conquest'. The book aptly summarizes the apathetic, materialistic nature of the big game where everyone's for himself and serves as a thread that connects the central characters. We see that Michael started out as a mess with serious gambling problems. The turn started when the attorney was murdered. Not till then did Michael believe he took the wrong side and consequently decided to atone for the past and carry on with the investigation.

However I must point out nothing is as dramatical as what I write down here. The emphasis is on the development of Michael's character and the scandal is 2nd rated. Thankfully the pace quickened after the murder and I managed to stay alert, almost shocking alerted in the death quiet of night (in the movie), a female officer bellowed 'FREEZE!'. People around me let out a surprise scream and we laughed. This's the 2nd (unintended) scene that's remotely exciting, besides the blow up. Of course you can argue that the overall message of justice could win the audience over and the little episode of cynical humor at the end is a bonus, and because of these I hesitate to down rate the movie but let's just say the first half sucks and character development isn't solid enough.

Clooney's totally steady, cool and pheromone emitting. Another mentionable is Tilda Swinton who truly brings out the nervous, desperate and pitiful lawyer she is. In case you also wonder why Tilda looks familar, she's the angel in 'Constantine', whose wings got burnt.

End of review... this movie is soporific, but the ending is worth the wait (while you sleep and wonder why it goes on and on forever).