The plot of "Michael Clayton" unfolds for viewers like a puzzle being slowly pieced together, but unfortunately not all the pieces seem to fit.
George Clooney and the rest of the cast - including Tom Wilkinson, Tilda Swinton, Sydney Pollack and Michael O'Keefe - deliver excellent performances throughout the film, but the drawn-out plot left me watching the clock and praying for light at the end of the movie tunnel.
In the film, Michael Clayton (Clooney) is a "fixer" for one of the largest corporate law firms in New York. His job is to control the firm's and its clients' dirty secrets before they are exposed to the public.
Clayton has several personal and professional problems that interfere with his job. He is divorced, in debt, struggling with a gambling problem, barely maintaining a relationship with his son and stuck in a career that shows no promise - after 17 years of service, Clayton still hasn't made partner.
Exhausted and hardly satisfied, Clayton begins to re-evaluate his life until his dreary existence is shocked into four days of utter chaos when his guilt-ridden colleague Arthur Edens (Tom Wilkinson) decides to reveal the hidden truth in a multi-million dollar suit against their firm's biggest client, which it has defended for eight years.
Edens' behavior causes concern from the partners of the firm, and Clayton is called in to clean up yet another mess. But this time he has trouble getting his friend under control. When Edens is found dead, Clayton starts searching for answers. When he discovers the truth, he becomes a target himself.
Although the movie has its moments of suspense and drama, it barely gets you close to the middle of your seat, let alone the edge. There is no surprise here - if you defend the bad guys, you're probably one yourself. Luckily, Clooney's character reassesses his role in favor of the good side.
The story line is delivered in fragments that linger too long, leaving viewers confused until the last two minutes of the film when writer and director Tony Gilroy ("Bourne" trilogy) attempts to solve the puzzle for the audience. But by the time viewers are partially clued in to the film's plot, they no longer care.
The film has a foggy timeline and it feels like it's never going to end. It's disappointing because the main story here is relative to present issues. It focuses on the lack of ethics in today's society and we see Clooney's character act as justice's valiant defender. If America could fall more in love with Clooney, the real story could unfold.
Clooney is captivating in this movie. He goes away from the handsome, fearless leader genre he has recently portrayed in the "Ocean" trilogy and gives audiences a darker, edgier character in "Michael Clayton."
The film is filled with strong characters and sound tension, but holes in the story and the slow pace overshadow good acting.
"Michael Clayton" is in theaters and rated R for language and violence. Running time is 1 hour and 56 minutes.
Zero frames: Save your cash One frame: Catch it on TV if you're bored Two frames: Rent it Three frames: Head to the box office Four frames: Hello, Criterion Collection
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