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The Lincoln Lawyer

Play trailer 1:00 Poster for The Lincoln Lawyer R Released Mar 18, 2011 1h 59m Crime Drama Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
83% Tomatometer 172 Reviews 82% Popcornmeter 50,000+ Ratings
Mick Haller (Matthew McConaughey) is a charismatic defense attorney who does business out of his Lincoln Continental sedan. Mick spends most of his time defending petty crooks and other bottom-feeders, so it comes as quite a surprise when he lands the case of a lifetime: defending a Beverly Hills playboy (Ryan Phillippe) who is accused of attempted murder. However, what Mick initially thinks is an open-and-shut case with a big monetary reward develops into something more sinister.
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The Lincoln Lawyer

The Lincoln Lawyer

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Critics Consensus

It doesn't offer any twists on the predictable courtroom thriller formula, but with a charming Matthew McConaughey leading its solid cast, The Lincoln Lawyer offers briskly enjoyable entertainment.

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Critics Reviews

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Scott Foundas Film Comment Magazine A much better version of this movie may exist somewhere in the editing-room blender, to be excavated by cine-archeologists of the future. Jun 20, 2013 Full Review James White Empire Magazine A solid thriller with McConaughey doing what he does best. Rated: 3/5 Apr 3, 2011 Full Review Leonard Maltin leonardmaltin.com The Lincoln Lawyer is a well-crafted, well-cast adaptation of Michael Connelly's best-selling novel, shot on interesting Los Angeles locations. It's a crime thriller with... Rated: 2.1/2 Apr 1, 2011 Full Review Brian Eggert Deep Focus Review Viewers hoping for anything more than your run-of-the-mill courtroom thriller will feel letdown, whereas general audiences will surely eat this stuff up. Rated: 3/4 Jul 31, 2023 Full Review Toussaint Egan Polygon The Lincoln Lawyer marks the beginning of what many at the time characterized as the 'McConaissance'. Oct 22, 2021 Full Review Richard Propes TheIndependentCritic.com The ultra-confidence swagger for which McConaughey is so well known works well here. Rated: 3.0/4.0 Sep 14, 2020 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Thomas A Wimpiest cross-exam ever recorded. The prosecution might as well have asked Roulet, "What's your favorite color.?" Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 09/07/25 Full Review mark g Strong cast lifts a cookie cutter story. Entertaining and well shot. McConaughey is invested and gets help from Tomei, Philippe and Macy. It's a solid and entertaining film. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 08/02/25 Full Review Ernie K The kind of forceful yet slyly humorous portrayal that Matthew McConaughey is famous for works very well here, with acting throughout that holds your interest and entertains. A very solid group of supporting players hold the edges in place while The Lawyer comes to various levels of realization within a well-written script. Highly recommended. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 07/21/25 Full Review Stephen C Success in 1 hour and 59 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated R for Sexual Content, Language and Some Violence!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The USA grossed over $58,000,000.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/20/25 Full Review Rainie R. Great movie and great plot twist! Rated 4 out of 5 stars 07/12/25 Full Review Matteo G The Lincoln Lawyer is a gripping legal drama that avoids clichés and keeps you engaged with smart twists and solid pacing. It’s never predictable, and the story unfolds with satisfying tension. Matthew McConaughey shines as Mickey Haller—charismatic, sharp, and fully convincing. One small downside is that Marisa Tomei’s character feels a bit underdeveloped; her role comes off as somewhat simplistic given her talent. Still, the film delivers a compelling and well-acted courtroom thriller. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 06/01/25 Full Review Read all reviews
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The Lincoln Lawyer

The Lincoln Lawyer: Official Clip - When Do You Retire? The Lincoln Lawyer: Official Clip - When Do You Retire? 1:55 The Lincoln Lawyer: Official Clip - I'm Trying to Make it Right! The Lincoln Lawyer: Official Clip - I'm Trying to Make it Right! 3:01 The Lincoln Lawyer: Official Clip - Attorney-Client Privilege The Lincoln Lawyer: Official Clip - Attorney-Client Privilege 2:38 The Lincoln Lawyer: Official Clip - Cross-Examination The Lincoln Lawyer: Official Clip - Cross-Examination 2:15 The Lincoln Lawyer: Official Clip - It's Called the Justice System The Lincoln Lawyer: Official Clip - It's Called the Justice System 1:43 The Lincoln Lawyer: Official Clip - They Want the Death Penalty The Lincoln Lawyer: Official Clip - They Want the Death Penalty 2:06 The Lincoln Lawyer: Official Clip - Whose Side are You on Anyway? The Lincoln Lawyer: Official Clip - Whose Side are You on Anyway? 2:07 The Lincoln Lawyer: Official Clip - Can You Give Me a Lift? The Lincoln Lawyer: Official Clip - Can You Give Me a Lift? 2:20 The Lincoln Lawyer: Official Clip - This Whole Thing is a Set-Up The Lincoln Lawyer: Official Clip - This Whole Thing is a Set-Up 1:33 The Lincoln Lawyer: Official Clip - Hospital, Not the Morgue The Lincoln Lawyer: Official Clip - Hospital, Not the Morgue 2:30 View more videos
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Movie Info

Synopsis Mick Haller (Matthew McConaughey) is a charismatic defense attorney who does business out of his Lincoln Continental sedan. Mick spends most of his time defending petty crooks and other bottom-feeders, so it comes as quite a surprise when he lands the case of a lifetime: defending a Beverly Hills playboy (Ryan Phillippe) who is accused of attempted murder. However, what Mick initially thinks is an open-and-shut case with a big monetary reward develops into something more sinister.
Director
Brad Furman
Producer
Tom Rosenberg, Gary Lucchesi, Sidney Kimmel, Richard S. Wright, Scott Steindorff
Screenwriter
John Romano
Distributor
Lionsgate Films
Production Co
Stone Village Productions, Sidney Kimmel Entertainment
Rating
R (Sexual Content|Language|Some Violence)
Genre
Crime, Drama, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Mar 18, 2011, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Dec 19, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA)
$58.0M
Runtime
1h 59m
Sound Mix
SDDS, Dolby Digital, DTS
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