George Clooney stars as Michael Clayton, an attorney known as a "janitor" at his law firm Keener, Bach and Ledeen, due to his ability at cleaning up the firm's dirtiest cases. He is also a compulsive gambler, a divorced father, nearing bankruptcy (due to a botched investing in the hospitality industry with his delinquent brother, who has left him stranded), and at 45 years old, left with no idea as to what his purpose is in life.
His firm's biggest client is the corporate agricultural giant U-North, which is fighting a three billion dollar class action lawsuit that states the company's weed killer has polluted water in rural areas, and made the residents of these rural areas extremely sick. On the case for the firm is brilliant lawyer Arthur Edens (Tom Wilkinson), who during a deposition in Milwaukee unexpectedly breaks down, stripping off his clothes and proclaiming his love for a key witness testifying against U-North.
At the behest of his boss Marty Bach (Sydney Pollack), Michael is flown to Milwaukee to try and take control of the situation, only to find that Arthur may in fact have evidence to incriminate U-North and has decided to use it against them at the expense of his career. Meanwhile, U-North's top litigator Karen Crowder (Tilda Swinton) - whose career rests on an successful verdict for her company - has hired two men (Robert Prescott and Terry Serpico) to track Michael and Arthur's every move, with every intention to order their deaths if need be.
Written and directed by Tony Gilroy (the co-writer of the Bourne series), Michael Clayton is a chilling, intense conspiracy thriller, filled with intriguing characters and great performances. Unfortunately, it also features an at times confusing screenplay that leaves many questions unanswered, especially in regards to the motives of Tom Wilkinson's character, Arthur Edens.
This is not to say that Tony Gilroy has not written a great script. In fact, it is probably one of the more thought provoking and intelligent films of its kind seen in a while. Yet its penchant for creating muddled, and what feels like often empty symbolic gestures does little in creating a captivating whole.
Clooney continues to surprise with another great performance. He possesses a credible presence on screen which not only transfixes the viewer, but makes his character - a highly intelligent, yet flawed attorney who knows the law like the back of his hand - that more believable, and above all, likeable. His cool charisma is kept in check, and is replaced by a quiet redemption as his character struggles with the complexities of just what is right and wrong in his world.
A touching scene between Clooney and his on screen son (played impressive well by young Austin Williams), where they speak forwardly about the blunt realities of life, is a key moment in the film. He preaches to his son that when in doubt do "what is in your heart", advice which he himself takes on when his situation turn dire.
Tilda Swinton is excellent as the cold sober career woman constantly flirting with evil, her cutthroat ambition pushing her to extremes. Sydney Pollack - one of the better director/actors - is very good, as is Tom Wilkinson (if not a little over the top).
The way which Gilroy and his brother, Editor Dan Gilroy, structure the movie makes for interesting viewing, especially in regards to the films end credits. And throughout there is a biting atmosphere which cannot be shaken off.
Overall Michael Clayton is a very good film, held back by a number of unresolved issues. Perhaps multiple viewings are needed to really appreciate its complexities.