Michael Clayton (Widescreen Edition)

Pressure cooker of a film with an organic, well-constructed plot. Stellar performances. Saw it once and liked it. Saw it a second time (intending just to skip through and re-familiarize myself with characters, happenings) and totally enjoyed re-watching the pieces of the story fly, then fall into place. Appreciated the artistic composition of the shots and scenes: montage of Karen rehearsing her speech, cut with her giving the speech. Shot of Clayton, left alone in the grays and whites of the office. He's in black suit with a white shirt, holding a red binder in one hand. Shot of horses on a hill, matching an illustration in his son's fantasy novel. You can feel the building, impossible pressure on all the characters, everyone is in a tough spot, and making tough moral and practical choices. Michael Clayton in particular. It's tension upon tension. Difficult, nasty job. Insufficient time with his kid. Painful financial deadline. Family tendency toward addiction. Good friend and colleague having a mental breakdown. Exhaustion. All while trying to keep his game face for those around him. Fortunately, the viewer gets little bits of comic relief and a couple explosions. The information dropped to the viewer is purposely less than you expect. You get little "aha" moments as they catch you up with what's been happening. Get your popcorn, turn out the lights. Watch it all the way through like a movie.

Loved the movie! Great conclusion

George is a middle age lawyer. He has a "niche"; he is a fixer. He "fixes" the problems of the rich and powerful: CEO's, "bent congressmen", or anybody else with money. He calls himself a "janitor" cleaning up the messes of the well to do. All the while, he is listed in the firm as "wills and trust" attorney. He has been doing this for 15 years, and he is sick of it; he want to do something else, or maybe just be someone else. He wants out of the world of big shot high powered corporate life. He talks about his "walking away money". But the money disappeared in a bad business deal which is not really explained, a resteruant/bar operation. A family member was the business partner, and was to be blamed. Then there is the muscle or maybe the actually loan shark with mob connections, he wants his money back and is pressuring Clooney, while Cooney liquidates the business. While this is going on a corporation, U-North, a chemical/pestacide company is facing litigation--massive litigation that Clooney's firm is representing. Things head south and case goes bad, real bad. The lawyer grinding away on the case goes nutso, and crashes the case into a wall, with some looney tunes behavior. This lawyer is manic depressive. The corporation's ceo calls in a crew that "goes the other way", to terminate the problem lawyer, and do damage control. Clooney gets involved because he is the firm's fixer and a friend to this lawyer. The methods are stealthy, appear well thought out. They wire tape, follow, and eventually murder the problem lawyer, making it appear as a suicide. The film itself has powerful actors, a good script. I was not a Clooney fan until I saw this film; it has a powerful scene with just Clooney, no words, but a infinite amount of acting skills. The scene blows me away... ;it is very powerful!! The film has some great one liners, Sydney Pollack's character, says" 15 years in and I have to tell you how we pay the bills around here." The film has a massive plot twist that blows your mind too. I found Clooney's comments about his "walking away money" to be meaningful and even insightful, even if simple. Clooney is struggaling in his mid life; he wants out; I connected with that. Good film, I believe it received an Oscar.

One has to see this over and over again. So well acted, that one gets wrapped up in the plot.

There are many movies that have incorporated twists and plots with corporate and leagle aspects reflective of current events. If you are looking for a thriller with a purpose that not only aspires to thrill...rather inspire you to take concern for the issues and characters involved in the thrill, "Michael Clayton" is that movie. The great thing about owning this movie is that if you missed a moment, you can always take the time to absorb it. Just when you think you got the whole story...you watch it again and find more. I am satisfied for the purchase I made of this Blu-Ray Edition...especially the price. If you are a fan of George Clooney as an actor...you will enjoy this performance. If you appreciate Tony Gilroy as a Director or appreciate Sydney Polleck's work...you will find this movie a treat. Like other films that accomplish the effect of character analysis; i.e., "The Firm", "Erin Brockovich", "The Rainmaker" or the Jason Bourne Movies of Tony Gilroy and Paul Greengrass..."Micheal Clayton" works effectively. There is a human side to this movie as well as a twisted-dark side...when both collide in the end...it makes you enjoy the journey of George Clooney's roll as Micheal Clayton...a cleaner for a Leagle Firm that makes waves of his own. If you love devious-twisted characters...especially from an actress...Tilda Swinton deserves the Oscar as the corporate executive with coldness and boldness. The ending of this movie is worth the price paid for this movie along with the hours spent to piece the puzzle of the journey Micheal Clayton endures to reason the bedevilments of himself in all relationships of his life. Note that every supporting cast member of this movie added to the enjoyment to make this a classic masterpiece for anyone to appreciate...especially Tom Wilkinson and the late Sydney Polleck who also co-produced this gem- he knows a good thriller to back. Remember...not all George Clooney roles are the same...he is a thespian, well diversified to adapt to any role. This movie gives you that opportunity to witness the rise of a talent. This movie cleans up- worth owning since you never know how often it will be shown on paid TV, worth owning for the added bells and whistles to allow the viewer behind the scenes access of really knowing the whole experience. Great to give as a gift for anyone who appreciates suspense thrillers and anyone who may have a George Clooney film collection...there are many. Still, if you purchase this...get it with "Three Kings", "Up in the Air", "The Descendants ", "Good Night and Good Luck" or "Out of Sight". You will compare and conclude the diversity of George Clooney and say "Micheal Clayton is a great performance. Just note that "Good Night and Good Luck" was directed by George Clooney..."Micheal Clayton" directed by Tony Gilroy...both with same intensity. If you still like the "Cloon-ster" as Danny Ocean...well, the same suaveness of the Danny Ocean character is applied to Micheal Clayton...just for those who like to type-cast. Just know that there is a purpose behind Micheal Clayton...to make the audience actually take Inventory on themselves and clean themselves to be better people rather then bitter people. You will not regret owning this movie or giving it as a gift.

Pour un ami, d’apres Ses dires impeccable

Michael Clayton (George Clooney) ist Anwalt einer renommierten New Yorker Kanzlei - doch er ist nicht irgendein Anwalt; nein, vielmehr ist er der sogenannte kanzleiinterne "Fixer". Derjenige, der die wenig beliebten Mandate einer zumeist sehr einflussreichen Klientel übernimmt, um sie auf juristischem Wege wieder mal aus irgendeinem selbstverschuldeten Schlamassel zu befreien. Nach der Beratung eines dieser Mandanten - es ist bereits früher Morgen - fährt Clayton über das Land zurück in die Stadt und wird von einem ungewöhnlichen Bild gefangen genommen: drei auf einer Anhöhe weidenden Pferden, die dicht beieinander stehen. Er verlässt sein Auto, steigt den Hügel hinauf und erkennt die Zusammenhänge. Genau in diesem Augenblick explodiert sein Fahrzeug durch eine Autobombe, die ihn eigentlich töten sollte. Dann Szenenwechsel: Vier Tage zuvor. Tony Gilroys (Drehbuchautor der Bourne-Trilogie) Regie-Debüt wurde zu Recht in mehreren Kategorien für den Oskar nominiert und konnte diesen schließlich für die beste Nebenrolle (Tilda Swinton, "The Beach") für sich verbuchen. In der Hauptrolle brilliert ein zurückhaltend und nachdenklich spielender Clooney neben einem formidablen Tom Wilkinson, dessen intensives Charakterspiel als aus den Fugen geratener Top-Anwalt mindestens ebenso Oskar-prämiert hätte werden sollen wie das von Swinton in ihrer Rolle als vom Ehrgeiz zerfressene, zu allem fähige und unsagbar einsame Karrieristin. Es ist eine kalte, eine düstere Welt - getaucht in blaustichige Bilder -, die dem Zuschauer hier aufgetischt wird. Eine Geschichte über die Schattenseiten des amerikanischen Wirtschaftssystems, eines Systems, das wie kein zweites das Prinzip des Stärkeren als seine zugrunde liegende Ordnung verinnerlicht hat. Und so sind es dann auch die guten, die "kleinen" Amerikaner, die in diesem Film letztlich den Kürzeren zu ziehen scheinen. Gegen einen übermächtigen Chemiekonzern, vertreten von Claytons Kanzlei, scheint ihre Hoffnung auf Gerechtigkeit im Zuge einer Sammelklage zu zerbrechen. Einzig Clayton und sein Kollege Arthur (Wilkinson) stellen sich dieser Koalition der Skrupellosen entgegen, und tragen am Ende den zumindest moralischen Sieg davon. Auch wenn Arthur - einst ein funktionierendes Rad im Getriebe seiner nach Gewinnmaximierung strebenden Kanzlei - die Neuentdeckung des Gutmenschen in ihm selbst bis dahin mit dem Leben bezahlen musste; in diesem Zusammenhang erwähnenswert ist auch Arthurs Monolog, mit dem der Film eingeleitet wird - genial (vor allem im englischsprachigen Original)! "Michael Clayton" verbindet einen packenden Anwaltsthriller im Stil von "Die Firma" mit Elementen eines menschlichen Dramas. Seinen Erfolg verdankt dieser großartige Film dabei in erster Linie der herausragenden Besetzung, die es - entgegen der Ansicht gewisser Vorrezensenten - von der ersten bis zur letzten Spielminute versteht, den Spannungsbogen aufrechtzuerhalten. Hinzu kommen die vielen persönlichen Konflikte und Verästelungen der Figuren, angefangen mit Clayton selbst, der sich als notorischer Poker-Spieler mit einem Restaurant-Projekt übernommen hat und fortan in einer scheinbar unüberwindlichen Schuldenfalle sitzt, bis hin zum Auftragskiller-Duo des Chemiekonzerns, das mit schnörkelloser Effizienz und "Eleganz" die Kaltblütigkeit seines Gewerbes zu kaschieren versucht. Ebenfalls bemerkenswert ist Sydney Pollacks Part, der als Kanzleichef sowohl "die Strippen in der Hand hält", als auch dem Film eine noch tiefergehende Dimension angedeihen lässt. Im Ganzen ein außergewöhnlich intensiver Film, der sicherlich mit zum Besten gehört, was Hollywood in den letzten Jahren hervorgebracht hat.

Awesome 😎 film 🎞️ !

Wees je ervan bewust dat deze bluray disc alleen Duitse ondertiteling heeft. Het heeft wel de originele taal (Engels) naast de Duitse nasynchronisering maar geen Engelse ondertiteling. Dat is nogal ongebruikelijk.

For some people may be kind of slow, but is impecable and important