Director: Tony Gilroy
Starring: George Clooney, Tom Wilkinson and Tilda Swinton
‘A Captivating Classic’
Not many actresses in Hollywood have earned the appreciation of Twilda Swinton. Since her rise to fame in the 1990’s, Swinton has been a beloved icon. Whether it’s dedicated mothers, writers or wise mentors, Swinton has played many strong characters. Arguably, Swinton’s greatest strength as an actress has always been her powerful commitment. She’s one of those rare actresses that always poured her heart and soul into every single role. A strong icon in entertainment, Swinton has become a powerful actress with commitment. Through her abilities to portray a vast array of commemorated women which are compelling, Swinton has created an enduring legacy which has proven to be highly lasting. Shining a bright light in darkness, the actress has become a celebrated icon in the modern entertainment business. Throughout her long-lasting career, Swinton has starred in many unforgettable films which are definitely worth watching.
I’m a huge fan of Swinton and admire all the movies she has made in her career. However, “Michael Clayton” is my favourite. Released in 2007, Tony Gilroy’s movie offered an engaging portrait of lawyers facing adversities. Packed with breathtaking production design, engaging storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the best legal dramas ever made. At centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Tilda Swinton, who portrays a lawyer that becomes involved in criminal activities causing tensions. Ultimately, what makes “Michael Clayton” a masterpiece is universal appeal. Unlike most films about lawyers, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. A mesmerizing masterpiece about lawyers, there are several strong reasons why “Michael Clayton” is a commemorated movie which is absolutely worth watching.
“Michael Clayton” tells a story of a lawyer that engages in dark life of crime causing tension. George Clooney portrays Michael Clayton, a skilled fixer that has always solved problems in his legal profession. Clayton has always had a talent for solving issues which involve lawyers in his tense profession. However, Clayton’s life drastically changes when he’s tasked with the situation of resolving a chemical corporation. Karen Crowder (Tilda Swinton) is a menacing lawyer that engages in crime investigated by Clayton. As all the odds are stacked against his favour, Clayton begins to wonder whether it’s truly possible to attain success in a tense case causing disaster. Faced with a dilemma, Clayton questions his devotion to a profession causing trauma.
Tony Gilroy is a newcomer towards the stories of lawyers facing adversity. Before he directed “Michael Clayton”, Gilroy had never created a film about lawyers. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture the lives of lawyers facing adversity but he succeeded immensely. Using captivating cinematography, Gilroy captures a lawyer embarking on a journey to discover his identity. Emulating Robert Mulligan’s “To Kill a Mockingbird”, Gilroy uses handheld camera to capture lawyers which experience a dilemma. For instance, handheld camerawork elevates the fixer scene. During this memorable scene, Michael Clayton is first hired to resolve a case in a legal profession. Using handheld camera, Clayton creates a portrait of lawyers which is engaging. Handheld camerawork is a complex technique to use in most movies. As the Safdie Brothers’ “Uncut Gems” suggested, handheld camerawork elevates crime thrillers. However, it works immensely. Through stunning visuals, Gilroy captures tensions that lawyers seeking success are facing.
Another strong aspect of “Michael Clayton” that deserves appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, the movie is l well made. Inspired by Rob Reiner’s “A Few Good Men”, Gilroy effectively uses costumes capturing tensions faced by a few good legal men. Throughout the film, Michael Clayton’s costumes showcase his transformation into a fixer facing tension. For instance, costumes enhance the business meeting scene. During this unforgettable scene, Michael Clayton has an intense business meeting with lawyers in his profession. Through captivating costumes, Gilroy constructs a portrait of lawyers which is compelling. Furthermore, the musical score is magnificent. James Newton Howard’s music is key towards the success of the movie. It gives the film a tense atmosphere capturing a heavy burden that lawyers bear. Using breathtaking production, Gilroy captures lawyers enduring tension.
Storytelling is one of the central reasons why “Michael Clayton” is a legal drama which is engaging. The film is beautifully written, and effectively uses silence to signal lawyers that are affected by violence. For instance, silence enhances the lawyer business scene. During this unforgettable scene, Michael Clayton is faced with a tense situation as he discovers evidence of crime in his profession. Through silence, Gilroy constructs a portrait of lawyers audience can easily relate to. Silence is often a complex technique to use in movies. As Spike Jonze’s “Adaptation” suggested, silence often elevates movies about famous screenwriters. Armando Iannuci’s “The Personal History of David Copperfield” demonstrated that silence enhances literature adaptations. Nevertheless, it works well in this movie. Using a spectacular screenplay, Gilroy captures the lives of lawyers facing a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Tilda Swinton delivers one of her finest career performances as Karen Crowder. Swinton first earned appreciation playing women in period pieces. With “Michael Clayton”, however, she took on her most complex role. It isn’t simple to portray a female lawyer that engages in a life of crime causing adversity but she succeeded immensely. This is the actress unlike you have ever seen her before: intense, charismatic and emotional in her most memorable role. Swinton has often excelled at playing emotional women under stress, and “Michael Clayton” exhibited her strength as a commemorated actress. With mesmerizing expressions, she captures the angst, grief and resentments of a feminist lawyer which faces tensions. It’s a powerful performance by one of the most commemorated actresses currently working in Hollywood today.
While the movie is mainly a stunning showcase for Tilda Swinton, the supporting cast is great and worthy of appreciation. George Clooney is captivating, capturing bravery of a fixer which seeks to resolve crimes in a profession causing adversities. Tom Wilkinson is terrific, bringing compassion to a lawyer that engages in crime causing tension. Lastly, Sydney Pollack merits recognition. As a commanding judge, he brings authority to the movie.
Finally, “Michael Clayton” would earn praise of everyone for capturing lawyers which endure tension. Unlike most legal films about lawyers, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. It discusses strong themes including anxiety, mental health and trauma which will resonate with everyone. Viewers don’t need to be familiar with the lives of lawyers to enjoy it. It delivers a meaningful message concerning legal corruption which would resonate among everyone. Therefore, “Michael Clayton” is one of those rare legal dramas which everyone will absolutely adore.
Fans of Tilda Swinton would absolutely enjoy “Michael Clayton” and so would movie-goers seeking exhilarating entertainment. A riveting legal drama, it celebrates legacy of an actress with charisma.
Nearly 20 years following the release of a groundbreaking film about fierce lawyers seeking to resolve a confounding case, it’s a captivating reminder about a commemorated British actress that has built a strong place in the film industry though her abilities to portray compelling characters in movies audiences embrace.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 