Tom Wilkinson
Age:
59
Role:
Arthur Edens in Michael Clayton
Synopsis:
Michael Clayton (George 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 (Sydney Pollack), Clayton, a former prosecutor from a family of cops, 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; a divorce, gambling habit, and a failed business venture have left him with mounting debt.
At the agrichemical company U/North, the career of in-house counsel chief Karen Crowder (Tilda 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 (Tom 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.
Previous Oscar Wins:
None
Previous Oscar Nominations:
One - 2001 for In The Bedroom
Awards and Nominations for Role:
He was nominated for Best Supporting Actor at the Bafta's, Golden Globes and Screen Actors Guild Awards.
Critics:
'A heartbreaking, scene-stealing performance.' (The Onion)
'and there's an amazing turn from Tom Wilkinson as Edens, managing to be both childlike and frightening in his mania as he grapples with the consequences of his change of heart.' (Channel 4 Film)
FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw
Other Best Supporting Actor Nominees