Director:
Tony Gilroy
Cast:
George Clooney, Tilda Swinton, Tom Wilkinson, Sydney Pollack.
Synopsis:
Michael Clayton (Clooney) is an in-house ‘fixer’ at one of the largest corporate law firms in New York.
At the behest of the firm’s co-founder Marty Bach (Pollack), Clayton takes care of Kenner, Bach & Ledeen’s dirtiest work.
Clayton cleans up clients’ messes, handling anything from hit-and-runs and damaging stories in the press to shoplifting wives and crooked politicians.Though burned out and discontented in his job, Clayton is inextricably tied to Kenner, Bach & Ledeen; divorce, a crippling gambling habit and a failed businessventure have left him with mounting debt.At the agrichemical company U/North, the career of in-house counsel chief Karen Crowder (Swinton) rests on the multi-million dollar settlement of a class action suit that Clayton’s firm is leading to a seemingly successful conclusion. When Kenner, Bach & Ledeen’s top litigator, the brilliant Arthur Edens (Wilkinson), has an apparent breakdown and subsequently tries to sabotage the entire U/North case, Michael Clayton is sent to tackle this unprecedented disaster and in doing so comes face-to-face with the reality of who he has become…
Critics:
‘A dark, engaging drama that asks some difficult moral questions, Michael Clayton is a classy piece of filmmaking with yet another in a long line of fine performances from George Clooney.’ Channel 4 Film
‘Tightly plotted, expertly acted, Michael Clayton is a challenging, satisfying corporate thriller.’ Film Journal International.
‘It's such a crackling and mature and accomplished movie that it just about restores your faith.’ Entertainment Weekly
Awards/Nominations:
Despite not winning an of the major awards Michael Clayton has found itself amongst the nominations at the Golden Globes, Producers Guild of America and the Critics Choice.
FemaleFirst Helen EarnshawOther Best Picture nominations