Michael Clayton (2007)

Yet another excellent Clooney movie. Quite difficult to follow at first, but overall an excellent story line.

Excellent plot and story of corporate greed and cover up, backed up by excellent actors.

Two words - "Absolutely awful"

I found this movie hard to fully understand, all though the acting was good, some of the characters did not ring true, getting people who are not American playing Americans, always falls a bit flat,I know that they are fine actors,But they are not true blue!!! I did not like this movie very much, George Clooney has done a lot better!!

wish I had read some of the reviews below as i watched this movie when i was tired and drinking!! so I found it difficult to follow but I am sure if I was more with it I would have enjoyed it much more.

Given the Monsanto horror stories in the news lately it seems like it is based on them - doco style - dry but saved by George Clooney I had seen it before but forgotten - which kind of says it all

didnt view

In a word, EXCELLENT. Don't bother with The Descendants, for which Clooney may have received a Golden Globe for his acting, but as a film is a very slow waste of time with weak story, poor script, an agonising wait for anything worth watching and for the escape from the cinema. Michael Clayton, however, has a good story, an excellent script, excellent production, just the right amount of each element and has Clooney at his best. Tight, powerful, interesting, disciplined. Couldn't be better.

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If you like Clooney, he's never been better than in this quite complex, but engrossing and ultimately satisfying, tale of corruption and murder.

I was tired when I watched this. I hated it. I usually love lovely George. My sister raved and raved about this film so I added it to my que and was excited when it was sent out to me. Maybe it was because I was tired - but was so slow and boring. The ending as many others have said was good - I sat up and watched a little easier towards the ending, but was very callenging to keep my eyes open for most of the film. Maybe if you too are tired wait for another night to see it as many other people have really enjoyed this one...

You really need to concentrate on this movie so don't watch it when you are tired or drinking. I really liked it and was moved by the finish which was a little unexpected. George Clooney was much better in this, that 'Up in th Air'. He really did the part justice. I still think about it, so it left a mark.

First half hour was all over the place and didn't serve to make the movie any better or more interesting. Didn't really feel for the characters. George Clooney only average.

what a long boring movie, even george clooney couldn't save this one,

Great story, great actors and best (unpredictable) ending Ive seen in a long time.

didn't finish watching this movie - it did not flow - not enjoyable at all

I remarked to my husband that you can tell a great film from the outset. The pace, script and intricacies of this film make it really absorbing. It's great!

Excellent film with great acting by George Clooney, Tom Wilkinson and Tilda Swinton. Good screenplay which keeps your interest throughout the film.

Much more than the feelgood lawyer-gets-a-life schlock I was expecting. A great script and a pleasant surprise.

As the commentary tells us this is not based on actual fact but a guess at what goes on behind the fancy offices. Michael Clayton is a fixer for a law firm. As always, George Clooney adds a Cary Grant dimension to his role and the film is enjoyable as well as enlightening.

good film, im guessing its an adaption?? like everything out there.. if it was original then it was a great film, if not a bit poor.....

I bailed after about 30 minutes. A dreadfully boring start and I couldn't bother waiting to find out if it got better.

Lots of twists, a great movie from start to finish. Rivetting.

A bit slow.

Great movie - loved George Clooney in this one played an excellent flawed character whose conscience wins in the end. Classic story of good triumphing over evil. Special effects added to the drama. Excellent cast - great acting.

This is an excellent film. We had to watch it twice to really piece it all together, but it has suspense, surprise, and a wonderful family theme (believe it or not). Also, there's the "how do you know you're a good man?" theme - well done, too. Kudos to George Clooney in a not very glamorous role.

We found this a bit hard to get into but became engrossed after a while. Good use of time-shifting to heighten the drama. George Clooney plays this competently if not excitingly.

This film is great. George Clooney presents a powerful, strong, heartfelt performance in a thriller that will keep you guessing and on the edge of your seat right to the end.

The story behind the movie is good, just that it was sooooo long.

Average film. I didn't like the goody goody ending.

Most confusing film I have ever seen. Watched entire film and still didnt know what it was all about.

Golly I struggled with this for the first hour and then things kind of started happening. You can feel GC's fatigue and pain. If you are inpatient and prefer fast pace this is not for you. It's a very subtle movie. The ending makes it all worthwhile - nicely handled.

Bit confusing to begin with but made sense by the middle, intriguing. great twists and turns, great acting

Was a bit hard to follow at the start, but it got better towards the end. Wouldn't really recommend it to friends.

I really enjoyed this movie. It had a strong plot, a surprise ending and it starred George Clooney. What else could you want?

Predictable movie about the evils of capitalism and the extremes that companies may go to hide the truth. On top of this is the story of the downtrodden hero who has hit hard times. File under seen it all before but better.

Excellent, thought provoking viewing. I enjoyed this, although it is certainly not light entertainment! Turn your brain on before you hit play or you'll lose track.

Plot = soso Photography excellent. The Director has done a great job with an average story. I enjoyed the acting, and this to me is a great vehicle for George Clooney, IF he needs one

Really a mind worker to work this out, but a great storie when you get what is going on. liked this movie worth a watch

Coming from someone who would happily watch George Clooney sleep, this review may be somewhat biased, but I thoroughly enjoyed this movie and the evolution of his character. Tom Wilkinson is superb, as always.

A very entertaining movie, though you have to listen hard to catch the plot at the beginning, - something I find all American movies have in common. (Its probably the accent and bad diction and mayjbe I should learn American rather than criticise it.) Tom Wilkinson gave one of his strong performances, as did George Clooney and Tilda Swinton. It held our attention to the end.

Good movie, a bit hard to follow at times but does explain itself as it goes. Quite intriguing.

Taut. Suspenseful. Good characterisations all around. Good plot. Excellent ending. Worth watching.

looking for a quality movie with a story which is tightly edited and requires some concentration...and has an excellent cast.....this is it!! brilliant...even better second time round. Not a boring moment. Mike W.

This movie is over rated. Although George Clooney is excellent the story is drawn out and convoluted with a quarter of the storyline going nowhere.

Not as good a movie as I had hoped, but very good performances from Tom Wilkinson and Tilda Swinton. The tension builds slowly.

Good movie, The begining is a bit slow but over all a great movie..

An OK movie, it sounded good but didn't quite live up to expectations. The script was just a little too predictable.

Absolutely gripping. George Clooney goes from strength to strength as an actor, and the surrounding cast keeps up with him. The story is a bit convoluted at first but the net result is a story that lingers in the mind long after the movie is finished. I must confess that I never trusted lawyers before "Michael Clayton" but I am fearful of them now!

Slow paced and rather boring, which is a shame because it does get better as the movie progresses. My wife fell asleep during this one, which speaks volumes because she's a huge Clooney fan.

George cloooney and the others all did a splendid job. It does get boring in the begining but a sudden gets you roped till the end. I just was hoping the end to be a bit more twisted/spicy. The director did an amazing job even though they were on a low budget. I liked the editing and scene recap/twist however the speed that it picked up later shoul dhave been there in some way form the get go! definately worth watching for coorporate lovers, clooney's fans and private attornyes/law firm runners..

completely indulgent George Clooney. Boring!

Excellent story though quite complex. It is not hard to believe these sorts of things happen. Up to the high standards we expect from George Clooney and it is great that he does movies which rely on the story and not his personal appeal.

George Clooney was very good in this film. Worth a look.

"Michael Clayton" is a quality product. It is not a "blockbuster" but is entertaining enough to hold the interest to the end. George Clooney acts with the skill and gravitas of one now of great acting experience. The cinematography is good. The sound quality is even and well matched to the action in the film. The film is well lit, even when it is dark we can still see clearly what is happening! (other directors please note) The supporting cast are all good qualitly actors who give fine performances. Clooney's little boy in the film surely has a great future in films coming. A couple of quibbles: they storyline conveniently has Clooney's character having a police captain as a relative. This makes it much easier than it would for you or I to turn the tables on the rogue law firm at the end of the film. Another point is, when Clooney's car blows up it is assumed he is dead. Even in the most catastophic event there would still be human DNA at the scene, without its presence, you could not just assume the driver had died in the explosion, especially when an amateur dectective would be able to work out the car was stationary at the time of the explosion, and therefore possibly parked, sans driver. Quibbles aside, worth watching.

A great disappointment for a movie starring George Clooney, not for everyone, and certainly not for me

Much better movie than I had anticipated. Great characters, perfect casting, brilliant plot with an even better ending. Loved it.

I found it a boring movie and didn't get to the end - maybe I should have stuck it out.

You must pay attention to the dialogue and flow here else get a cuppa and let someoneelse explain the plot...Clooney is good at his craft but the director has some explaining to do...watch it and see if u can explain the reason for this mish-mash..

mmm was ok maybe

Like many films this one starts out with many confusing scenes where it’s not obvious how these fit the story. Unfortunately this movie never does tie them all together and by the end you are still confused. Otherwise the movie is well made and well acted.

Good movie, not great but good. Worth watching

I was bored too and turned it off returned the next day and enjoyed to the end

Very interesting take on a what a "fixer" actually gets up to at a large law firm. Quite slow going at first but picks up speed towards the conclusion.

i couldnt even understand the storline of this movie it was so boring not worth watching

Quite intriguing. First 20 minutes spent getting a feel for the character development and nature of story, but once settled into the film, quite original. George Clooney brings the stark reality of real life to his character.

I didn't think Geroge Clooney's character was much of a 'fixer' in the way i imagined it when i read the blurb - more a lawyer who fixes law problems than the hitman I was expecting! Not a lot of character development but worth watching.

great movie

Slow and confusing to begin with but as the story developed the pace started to pick up.

good movie

Pretty good - especially if you like John Grisham.

difficult to understand at the beginning, but worth watching

BORING! didnt even watch the end!

Found it very difficult to follow & at one stage fell asleep, Goerge Clooney seems to revel in these brain teasers that I think only he knows the outcome. Still he's ok to look at while you're working it out

Worth watching. I was a bit confused at the start until all the plot threads were woven together. Gritty crime drama that never went too far over the top and an excellent performance from George Clooney.

Thorougly enjoyed this movie.

Worth Watching

Very slow at the beginning and got to no great heights until the very end, and that was not enough. The plot has been done before and better. If your an insomniac and needing a good sleep highly recommended.

Very intruiging

George Clooney's weary face and black bagged eyes sums up this film's atmosphere of fatigue; fatigue of knowing that the right thing probably won't happen. It manages to hide the typical David vs Goliath tale behind a more subtle exploration of ambition and venality colliding with a lawyer who thought he'd lost his way but find a previously unknown reservoir of ethics.

sorry i was dissappointed and bored with this movie from beginning to end. only reason i watched it all the way through was to keep my eye on George and I kept thinking, surely it is going to get better.

George Clooney always makes for good viewing. Different kind of action drama, but good.

Fantastic film, George as ever plays his role to a "T". Overall the film had me wanting to watch it until the end. Very moving and an interesting look at what big corporations can get away with - I wouldn't doubt for a second that certain part of this movie hit the nail on the head!

I will give this 4 stars simply based on Clooney's stellar performance in the lead role. It kept me in for the duration of the film, without any ridiculous twists or turns. Tom Wilkinso also provides excellent support.

An interesting, somewhat unpredictable story with great performances from George Clooney and Tom Wilkinson. The movie was a little slow to get going but worth sticking with as all the elements of the plot came together well.

Could not get into this at all, think I will stay away from anything with George Clooney in it.

This film is a challenge for the viewer requiring a high level of concentration as nothing is explained in the normal story telling sense - but that's what makes the film so interesting, it's a puzzle the viewer has to solve as it goes along just as the characters do. Whether today's spoon fed audiences appreciate this type of film making I doubt, but for me the film successfully breaks new ground. Clooney gives a great performance as do the supporting actors.

Michael Clayton is the kind of film which you need to watch it again and again to understand it better. The first viewing of the film is not so interesting. But the climax of the film will seduce you to watch it again and then whole film makes perfect sense in the second viewing

great movie, another classic from George Clooney.

Very good movie , i like it

great movie, George Clooney is amazing as Michael Clayton. A bit slow at first but well worth watching.

i was bored at the start of the movie, but it did improve with a good ending.

Worth Watching - Story boring in the beginning getting better at the end.

Michael Clayton (George Clooney) is a “fixer” for a powerful law firm. It’s his job to clean up when one of the powerful clients of the firm or one of its own gets into trouble. He describes himself as a janitor, but he is highly valued by the firm, but not enough to be given equity or to be financially rewarded as well as its high-flying partners. Sydney Pollack, playing one of the senior partners tells him how lucky he is to have “found a niche”. This is a good movie and Clooney is terrific. The closing titles where he gets in a taxi, tells the driver to “give me fifty dollars worth, just drive” and then sits with his emotions and thoughts playing out on his face is masterful and like nothing I have seen before. It’s a shame sometimes that the media is so efficient at making us aware of an actor’s political views as the one quibble I have with this film is that it seems to suffer from a little left wing bias in that it seems to imply that large corporations routinely employ hit men and law firms have no mortal qualms whatsoever about the cases they take on. I’m even prepared to except the latter, but the former point is a bit of a stretch.