Director: Brad Furman
Starring: Matthew McConaughey, William H. Macy and Marisa Tomei
‘A Captivating Courtroom Drama’
Not many actors in Hollywood are as beloved today as Matthew McConaughey. Ever since his stardom in the 1990’s, McConaughey has become a strong icon. Whether it’s interstellar space travellers, Wall Street stockbrokers or fierce lawyers, McConaughey has portrayed many characters. Arguably, McConaughey’s strength as an actor has always been strong commitment towards craft. He is one of those rare actors which has always had the talent for stealing the show in supporting roles that have limited screen-time. Even when he isn’t a main focus of a film, McConaughey has left a strong impression. Although he is most well-known for his role in “True Detective”, McConaughey has proven he can make great films in every single genre. Throughout his commemorated career, McConaughey has made many timeless films which are worth talking about without a single doubt.
I’m a huge fan of McConaughey and adore all the movies which he has created in his career. However, “The Lincoln Lawyer” is definitely my favourite. Released in 2011, Brad Furman’s film offered a beautiful adaptation of a strong book about lawyers. Packed with strong production, engaging storytelling and fantastic acting, it’s one of the best legal dramas ever made. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Matthew McConaughey, who embodies an authoritative lawyer that faced a price to pay. Ultimately, what makes “The Lincoln Lawyer” a masterpiece is universal appeal. Unlike most courtroom dramas, it tackles powerful themes everyone will relate to. An engaging courtroom classic, there are several strong reasons why “The Lincoln Lawyer” is a commemorated film worth seeing.
Based on the celebrated book, “The Lincoln Lawyer” tells the story of a lawyer that is put under tense pressure. Matthew McConaughey plays Mick Haller. Haller is a charismatic legal attorney that has always succeeded resolving cases involving catastrophe. However, Mick’s life forever changes when he is assigned the intense case of defending a billionaire causing disaster. Louis Roulet (Ryan Phillippe) is a bold Beverly Hills playboy accused of committing a painful murder. As all the odds soon become stacked against his favour, Mick wonders if it’s possible to become a successful lawyer. Faced with a tough dilemma, Mick wonders whether it is possible to become a lawyer in a profession causing trauma. Faced with his most stressful case, Mick questions his devotion to a career he used to embrace.
Brad Furman is a newcomer toward the stories of lawyers. Before he had made “The Lincoln Lawyer”, Furman had never made a film about lawyers before. It was the director’s attempt to capture the lives of lawyers facing adversities but he succeeded tremendously. Using strong cinematography, Furman captures an attorney that seeks to resolve a tense courtroom case causing catastrophe. Evoking Rob Reiner’s “A Few Good Men”, Furman successfully employs montages to capture the lives of lawyers which seek to solve cases involving catastrophe. For instance, the montages elevate the courtroom case scene. During this unforgettable scene, Mick seeks to resolve an intense case in court involving adversity. Using stunning montages, Furman creates a portrait of lawyers which is compelling. Montages are tricky techniques to use in films. As Ben Stiller’s “Tropic Thunder” demonstrated, montages enhance comedies about war veterans. Nevertheless, it works well in this movie. Using stunning visuals, Furman captures tension that lawyers seeking to solve cases are facing.
Another strong aspect of “The Lincoln Lawyer” that deserves appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, the movie is very well made. Furman effectively uses costumes to capture the lives of lawyers that experience tension. Throughout the movie, the suits worn by Mick showcase his strong position of power as a fierce lawyer. For instance, the costumes enhance the courtroom hearing scene. During this unforgettable scene, Mock seeks to fight a courtroom case that involves intense pressure. Through stunning costumes, Furman creates a portrait of lawyers that audiences can root for. Moreover, the musical score is fantastic. Cliff Martinez’s music is key to the success of the movie. It gives the movie a tense atmosphere capturing the heavy burden that lawyers that face courtroom cases bear. Through dazzling production-design, Furman captures lawyers facing a decline.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “The Lincoln Lawyer” is a legal drama that is compelling. The film is beautifully written, and effectively employs dramatic monologues to capture tension that lawyers are experiencing. Throughout the movie, Mick’s monologues in courtrooms showcase his strong personality as an attorney. For instance, the monologues hands the final verdict scene. During this bold scene, Mick delivers a final monologue in court expressing strong ideas about the importance of justice. Through monologues, Furman crafts a strong lawyer that audiences can relate to. Monologues are complex techniques to use in movies. As Martin Scorsese’s “The Wolf of Wall Street” suggested, monologues enhance films about Wall Street. Nevertheless, it works well in this film. Through a captivating screenplay, Furman captures lawyers that face a painful price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Matthew McConaughey delivers one of his best performances as Mick. McConaughey first earned recognition for playing heroes in romantic movies. With “The Lincoln Lawyer”, however, he took on his most complex role. It isn’t easy to portray a lawyer that experiences catastrophe but he succeeds tremendously. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most memorable role. McConaughey has often excelled at playing heroes under intense pressure, “The Lincoln Lawyer” showcased his strength as an actor. With riveting expressions, he captures the angst, bravery and courage of a lawyer seeking to solve a case. It’s a brilliant performance from one of the most celebrated actors today.
While the movie is mainly a stunning showcase for McConaughey, the supporting cast is also amazing and worthy of praise. Ryan Phillippe is remarkable, bringing dedication towards a man that endures wrongful conviction. Marisa Tomei is marvellous, capturing the charisma of a female lawyer seeking to resolve a case that involves a dilemma. Lastly, William H. Macy is worthy of prize. As an anxious attorney, Macy brings heartfelt emotion to the movie.
Finally, “The Lincoln Lawyer” would earn the appreciation of everyone for capturing legal lawyers enduring pressure. Unlike most legal dramas, the movie tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. It discusses powerful themes including identity, mental health and trauma which would resonate with everyone. Viewers aren’t required to be familiar with the legal profession to appreciate it. It delivers an inspiring message about justice which would resonate amongst everyone. Therefore, “The Lincoln Lawyer” is one of those rare courtroom dramas everyone would adore.
Fans of Matthew McConaughey will definitely appreciate “The Lincoln Lawyer” and so will audiences seeking exhilarating entertainment. A captivating courtroom classic; it honours an actor that’s iconic.
Nearly 25 years following the release of a groundbreaking legal drama about a righteous lawyer seeking to resolve a challenging case, it’s a riveting reminder about a commemorated actor that has portrayed memorable characters which face frightening tensions in memorable movies which audiences commonly embrace.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 