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Michael Clayton

Play trailer Poster for Michael Clayton R Released Oct 12, 2007 2h 0m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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90% Tomatometer 203 Reviews 69% Popcornmeter 250,000+ Ratings
Former prosecutor Michael Clayton (George Clooney) works as a "fixer" at the corporate law firm of Kenner, Bach and Ledeen, and takes care of his employer's dirty work. Burned out and deep in debt, he is bound tightly to the firm. Clayton faces the biggest challenge of his career when a guilt-ridden attorney (Tom Wilkinson) has a breakdown during a huge class-action lawsuit.
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Michael Clayton

Michael Clayton

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Critics Consensus

Michael Clayton is one of the most sharply scripted films of 2007, with an engrossing premise and faultless acting. Director Tony Gilroy succeeds not only in capturing the audience's attention, but holding it until the credits roll.

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Critics Reviews

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David Fear Blender There is a lot to admire in [Michael Clayton] regarding corruption and personal responsibility. You may, however, want to cut out before [the end]. Sep 8, 2023 Full Review Deborah Ross The Spectator The storytelling is so good I simply got caught up, and, as for George, he is seriously, seriously good... Here, his performance is passionate, subtle and right on the money. Aug 23, 2018 Full Review Ben Kenigsberg Time Out Rated: 4/5 Nov 18, 2011 Full Review Wesley Lovell Cinema Sight Michael Clayton has an important story to tell, but is sometimes overly stifling in its stuffy pretenses. Rated: 3/4 Oct 10, 2023 Full Review Joanne Laurier World Socialist Web Site The multifaceted pieces of the film are well orchestrated and the performances strong, although the movie's beginning is somewhat chaotic. Mar 5, 2021 Full Review Mike Massie Gone With The Twins This is Clooney at his brooding best, in a solid drama with an ending as explosive as its beginning. Rated: 7/10 Nov 26, 2020 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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acsdoug D The evil corporation killing its customers with its product - not to mention outright murdering those who investigate its wrongdoing - is an overdone Hollywood trope. This one isn't too bad for the genre, it's just that there's nothing new here. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 12/13/24 Full Review Blu B It's Excellent. Tom Wilkinson gives the best performance I've ever seen from him and Clooney is masterful. The whole supporting cast is really good powered by really sharp and witty dialouge. The way this starts out immediately draws you in and over the course of 2 hours will answer evverything in a masterful way. This perfectly blends the personal issues of Michael with the corporate conspiracy perfectly. The cinematography is really moody as well. It's masterfully directed thanks to the sharp script and first rate performances. This feels like it gets slightly perdictable in the middle for a bit but it continues to throw more twists at you and keeps you guessing until it brings it all home. Great satisfying ending. If there is one thing I can fault is the while the music is really good, I do wish it was a bit more catchy on its own. Besides that, even if your not into corporate dramas / thrillers, this is so well done it doesn't matter. Everyone should give this a try once. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/17/24 Full Review smith j Tom Wilson was the bet actor of the movie. his every word was so real . he is a person I would like to know Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 11/06/24 Full Review Maritta M What a great movie; held my attention from the beginning to the end. It was so well done, scripted, acted and directed, that it felt like it was real. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/03/24 Full Review Audience Member Awesome movie! One of my favorites of all time Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/13/24 Full Review Gur B Tom Wilkinson is such an actor who plays any character as if everbody can ,but after you finish the movie you realize that nobody can.Well, as Arthur Edens he definitely should've won an oscar! I wish Mr.Gilroy showed us what happened in the parking lot in details :) Rated 4 out of 5 stars 06/12/24 Full Review Read all reviews
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Cast & Crew

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Movie Info

Synopsis Former prosecutor Michael Clayton (George Clooney) works as a "fixer" at the corporate law firm of Kenner, Bach and Ledeen, and takes care of his employer's dirty work. Burned out and deep in debt, he is bound tightly to the firm. Clayton faces the biggest challenge of his career when a guilt-ridden attorney (Tom Wilkinson) has a breakdown during a huge class-action lawsuit.
Director
Tony Gilroy
Producer
Sydney Pollack, Steve Samuels, Jennifer Fox, Kerry Orent
Screenwriter
Tony Gilroy
Distributor
Warner Bros.
Production Co
Section Eight Ltd., Mirage Enterprises
Rating
R (Some Sexual Dialogue|Language)
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Oct 12, 2007, Wide
Rerelease Date (Theaters)
Jan 25, 2008
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 2, 2009
Box Office (Gross USA)
$49.0M
Runtime
2h 0m
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