Michael Clayton

*** Stars

George Clooney is one of the few actors alive who can play himself in a title role and receive a Best Actor nomination. That's not an insult, it just proves he was born to act. His performance is a throwback to classic movie stars like Gregory Peck and Henry Fonda. Slick, yet rightfully flawed, his character Michael Clayton is stuck in the middle of corporate greed testing every standard of human morality.

We learn who Clayton is right from the beginning. "I'm not a miracle-worker, I'm a janitor," he says to a client that has just been involved with a hit-and-run. He cleans up the mess of his corporate clients by getting his hands dirty, even though he has personal problems of his own. He is a divorced father who has family debts and a gambling problem. Instead of worrying about his own life, he tires himself out by fixing other people's mistakes. His career is a dead-end.

His old friend and colleague Arthur Edens (Tom Wilkinson) is an unstable lawyer who has been working on behalf of bigger clients than his health can handle. When he doesn't take his medicine, his behavior causes Clayton to step in and take care of the mess. However, things start to spiral out of control, when one of the company's members against Edens and Clayton steps in. Karen Cowder (Oscar winner Tilda Swinton) has to make sure her company is protected from any incriminating exposure or malpractice.

Although exciting and intelligent, the film is strangely familiar to garner seven Oscar nominations. It's build-up brings us to an exciting climax, but the conclusion plays it safe to make sure that its end rings true to a possible success for the lead character. Though uneven, Michael Clayton is an old-school thriller that focuses more on complex characters than pointless violence. My point of view is from someone who has seen the film after its massive hype, so maybe its natural for me not to join the true love.