'Michael Clayton'

The stakes are high, the pace is fast and the performances are uniformly intense in "Michael Clayton" (Warner Bros.). This potent legal drama, which focuses on just a few days in the complicated life of its title character, manages to deliver not only intrigue and suspense, but moral and psychological insight as well.

Michael Clayton (George Clooney) is a "fixer" for Kenner, Bach and Ledeen, a high-powered law firm led by partner Marty Bach (Sydney Pollack). As such, he's used to cleaning up all manner of personal problems, from hit-and-run accidents to arrests for shoplifting. Even Clayton's skills are put to the test, however, when the firm's top litigator, Arthur Edens (Tom Wilkinson), has a meltdown during a vital deposition. The case at hand is a multimillion-dollar class-action suit against U/North, a major agrochemical company. When the recovering Edens begins to show signs of turning traitor in the case, U/North's legal counsel, Karen Crowder (Tilda Swinton), makes it clear to Clayton that the rogue partner must be controlled by whatever means necessary. Given Edens' mastery of the law, however, this will not be an easy task. Adding to the pressure is the fact that Clayton is in debt to a loan shark. His only chance of clearing the debt is to receive a substantial "bonus" from the firm. But that, in turn, depends on his success in restraining the unpredictable and determined Edens. Fans of the Jason Bourne trilogy will not be surprised that the writer of that series, Tony Gilroy, makes his directorial debut here with a sleek and masterfully absorbing film, one which he also scripted. Equally magisterial and compelling are the performances by Clooney, who also served as the film's executive producer; Pollack, also a producer; and Swinton. As fine as the whole cast is, however, the film ultimately belongs to Wilkinson. From the manic opening monologue onward, his character, teetering between insight and insanity, poses the essential question: whether it is he, or the system against which he is rebelling, that has truly run amok. Although "Michael Clayton" sometimes carries its critique of legal and economic corruption beyond the strict bounds of realism, the moral concerns the film raises are, nonetheless, both weighty and relevant. The conflict between purity and profit, between the highest obligations and the bottom line is an ancient one. Yet its portrayal here is as fresh and effective as it is stark. The film contains much rough and crude and some crass language, frequent use of profanity, and one scene of a female character in clinging underwear. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is A-III - adults. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is R - restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian. - - - Mulderig is on the staff of the Office for Film & Broadcasting of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

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Copyright (c) 2007 Catholic News Service/U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops