Tony Gilroy
Age:
51
Film:
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:
None
Awards/Nominations for Film:
Tony Gilroy was nominated for Best Director at the Chicago Film Critics Association Awards and at the Venice Film Festival.
He was also recognised for his writing with nominations at the Satellite Awards and the Broadcast Film Critics Association Awards for his screenplay.
Critics:
'The film is written and stylishly directed by first-timer Tony Gilroy, the screenwriter behind the razor-sharp Bourne movies.' (USA Today)
'Michael Clayton is a classy piece of filmmaking' (Channel 4 Film)
'Expertly paced, tautly written and superbly cast, it may turn out to be the most auspicious debut of the year.' (The Independent)
FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw
Other Best Director Nominees