Michael Clayton (2007)

	Directed by: Tony Gilroy	COUNTRY USA GENRE Drama/Thriller NORWEGIAN TITLE Michael Clayton RUNNING TIME 119 minutes
	Produced by: Jennifer Fox Kerry Orent Sydney Pollack Steve Samuels
	Written by: Tony Gilroy

Cast includes:
CHARACTER	ACTOR/ACTRESS	RATING
Michael Clayton	George Clooney	½
Arthur Edens	Tom Wilkinson	½
Marty Bach	Sydney Pollack
Karen Crowder	Tilda Swinton	½
Barry Grissom	Michael O'Keefe	½
Henry Clayton	Austin Williams	½
Mr. Verne	Robert Prescott	½
Mr. Iker	Terry Serpico
Gene Clayton	Sean Cullen
Timmy Clayton	David Lansbury

Review

I believe we might just be witnessing a new trend in American filmmaking, or at least a renaissance. During the 1970s, quite a few dramatic films appeared that were heavy on content, thematically daring, and had a narrative structure that wasn't as moulded as the average film usually is. In the 1980s, as well as for large parts of the past decade, such approaches were rare. However, with this year's Zodiac and Michael Clayton, there's perhaps a signal that the audience is ready for a greater challenge. The massive outlet of fast-cut, over-analysed crime series on television (regardless of quality, I should add) has the effect that the film medium will try to find angles that wouldn't work (or be allowed to work) on television, while at the same time satisfying the experienced viewer's thirst for something else, something more challenging – stories that are not necessarily spelled out or recognisably structured. Traditionally, experimentally structured films haven't been as thematically ambitious as Michael Clayton. Experienced screenwriter Tony Gilroy's directorial debut is a welcome change of pace for the seasoned film viewer.

The story is a classic dig-beneath-the-surface thriller told largely from a first-person perspective. The difference is that Gilroy uses techniques more typical of the novel. There are storylines and developments that he doesn't simply evade telling us in order to have hard-hitting elements to use for the final part – which films like this traditionally have done, and to good effect – but instead he gives us bits and pieces of information, almost randomly, that might confuse just as much as enlighten you. The reason it works, if you're up to the challenge, is that we end up in the same boat as many of the characters. The complexity of the situation is weighing down on these poor people, all of whom are victims of a society so permeated by the pressure to succeed that they are no longer in touch with their own principles. The only one who still is ends up labeled insane. Gilroy's approach intensifies his social commentary, while at the same time creates a film that dares to be intricate without being problematical.

The performances in Michael Clayton are consistently top-notch. George Clooney has turned into one of the most reliable and humane leading men over the past few years. There's no star quality involved in his acting – merely serious and whole-hearted empathy. Kudos also to Tom Wilkinson for another absorbing, soul-searching performance, though the really courageous performance belongs to Tilda Swinton, who completely strips down for her role as Karen Crowder. I think she might be up for an Academy Award nomination.

I suspect, however, that neither Tony Gilroy nor Michael Clayton will. The film is probably a little too inaccessible and heavy on themes for the average viewer, and yet I think and hope that we will see more films like this in the near future. And based on George Clooney's newfound ability to search out and take on challenging parts, chances are he will feature in more of them.