MICHAEL CLAYTON
Rated R
George Clooney, Tom Wilkinson, Tilda Swinton, Sydney Pollack, Michael O'Keefe

Brian's Rating

Twenty minutes into George Clooney's much-heralded film Michael Clayton, you'll think you've made a mistake. Characters are being introduced at breakneck speed without reference points or a suggestion of relevance and you'll likely be confused, perhaps even bewildered.

Gradually, everything falls into place, leading up to an ending that is so spectacular it allows Clooney to virtually leap off the screen and give the audience a celebratory high-five.

Michael Clayton is one of the best legal dramas I've seen in some time and although you may not immediately recognize the names of actors Tom Wilkinson and Tilda Swinton, they were both recognized by the Academy for their performances here.

Clooney himself provides another Oscar-nominated turn as a world-weary lawyer whose specialty is making troublesome situations vanish for special clients. This is good stuff, folks, and definitely a must-see on DVD.