Michael Clayton

Is it a morality tale, a suspense film, a commentary on legal manipulations and corporate greed? Why, yes it is. D)All of the above. It is smartly done and well written. It is appropriately dark in most of the scenes. Clooney appears appropriately weary, though I think that has gotten easier as he comes closer to 50 in real life. He plays a man of flaws, a man who sees himself as the janitor of the law firm- cleaning up messes and making bad things go away. The first hour of this film requires your full attention. Do not plan on getting up for popcorn or a bathroom visit. If you do, you will be quite lost. I thought it was needlessly convoluted in a few spots, but Alex liked it as did 90 percent of the critics. Maybe I have gone to too many light weight movies lately. Of course, the corporation is evil and cancer causing- Clooney can't do a film without some political statement. I had the feeling I was watching a Grisham remake. There were holes in the veracity of the storyline- big holes. BUT perhaps it is, after all, just a story and the writer can do as he or she pleases. I do highly recommend this film- and if you like visuals, it is fun to watch the former Sexiest Man Alive juxtaposed by the Homliest Woman Alive, Tilda Swenson. Yikes! I guess in Hollywood they feel that you can only be believable as a smart, conniving businesswoman if you look like someone made your face in a pie plate. And is it me or has Clooney gotten a new nose- shorter and less broad? Well, go see it. Enjoy the absolutely lovely acting job done by the child who plays Clooney's son. He's a natural.