The Lincoln Lawyer (2011)

Genre

Crime | Drama | Thriller

Director

Bard Furman

Country

USA

Cast

Matthew McConaughey, Marisa Tomei, Ryan Phillippe, Josh Lucas, John Leguizamo, Michael Pena, Bob Gunton, Frances Fisher, Bryan Cranston, William H. Macy, Trace Adkins, Laurence Mason, Margarita Levieva, Pell James, Shea Whigham, Katherine Moennig, Michael Paré, Michaela Conlin, Mackenzie Aladjem

Storyline

When a wealthy Realtor (Ryan Phillippe) is accused of assaulting a prostitute (Margarita Levieva), Mick Haller (Matthew McConaughey) is asked to defend him. The guy claims he didn't do it, but Haller soon learns that the case might be linked to an old case of his. 

Opinion

I'll never get tired of saying I am no fan of Matthew McConaughey. I read good things about this film and I love legal thrillers, so I still decided to give it a shot and I'm glad I did as "The Lincoln Lawyer" is an intriguing and entertaining courtroom film.

Based on Michael Connelly's novel of the same name, the solid, well-paced story keeps you engaged from start to finish as it gradually builds tension and provides a lot of surprising twists along the way.

However, while the case was obviously the main focus and that part was well done, the subplots aren't even considered. They are in the film, like the whole family thing - why did Haller and his wife broke up? -, but they don't add enough to be relevant.

"The Lincoln Lawyer" features an interesting main character that unfortunately goes from being a cynical smug to a man who questions his moral, life and career while drinking straight from the bottle way too fast. But there's McConaughey to make things better (No, I'm not being sarcastic). I'd be lying if I said he carried the whole film because the film is solid enough to carry itself, but McConaughey really gives a great performance and entertains without taking his shirt off.

The other characters could have been built better. I haven't read the book, but I'm sure there was a better characterization there, that's typical of hollywood. Anyway, the cast does a fine job, although Marisa Tomei and Bryan Cranston are completely wasted in the film, the first because of an undeveloped and not properly used character, the second because he basically doesn't have a character.

Michael Clayton (2007)

Genre

Crime | Drama | Thriller

Director

Tony Gilroy

Country

USA

Cast

George Clooney, Tom Wilkinson, Tilda Swinton, Sydney Pollack, Michael O'Keefe, Merritt Wever, Austin Williams, Denis O'Hare, Robert Prescott, Terry Serpico

Storyline

After a lawyer (Tom Wilkinson) has a breakdown while representing a chemical company that he knows is guilty, Michael Clayton (George Clooney), the law firm's fixer, is tasked to remedy the situation. 

Opinion

I've heard of this film for the first time last week. How is that possible considering it was nominated for Best Picture not even 10 years ago? I have no idea. But everyone was saying how good "Michael Clayton" is, and being a lover of legal thrillers I had to watch it. And it really is a good movie, but it's not your typical legal thriller.

The storyline is very simple, yet the great and gripping storytelling makes it very intricate and interesting. But the plot isn't the real deal, because, like I said, this is a different legal thriller.

Instead of focusing on the clichés of the genre - it still has some though -, the film set its attention on something definitely more important, the moral dilemma of working for guilty people, and defending them even though you are disgusted by those people's actions.

Tony Gilroy does a good job both as a writer and director as he is able to keep you involved and to maintain the suspense throughout the whole film, building tension with slowly unfolding events rather than providing car chases, or those action things some people think are needed to make a thriller exciting.

The solid script and direction are backed up by a fantastic cinematography by Robert Elswit, precise editing, and a score that fits the film.

Another great addition is the cast. Oh my god George Clooney. Along with Tom Cruise, he is the other actor I couldn't stand growing up. I'm still not a fan of him, but you don't need to like him to see what a wonderful and captivating performance he gives as Michael Clayton. Also he is supported by some fantastic actors, from Tilda Swinton who gives a tremendous performance as a good corporate attorney and a very fragile woman, to Tom Wilkinson who is absolutely brilliant as the lawyer who gains a conscience.

To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)

Genre

Drama

Director

Robert Mulligan

Country

USA

Cast

Gregory Peck, Mary Badham, Phillip Alford, John Megna, Frank Overton, Rosemary Murphy, Ruth White, Brock Peters, Estelle Evans, Paul Fix, Collin Wilcox, James Anderson, Alice Ghostley, Robert Duvall, William Windom, Crahan Denton, Richard Hale

Storyline

Atticus Finch (Gregory Peck), a lawyer in the Depression-era South, defends a black man (Brock Peters) against an undeserved rape charge, and his kids against prejudice.

Opinion

A few months ago I read Harper Lee's "To Kill a Mockingbird" for the first time. It was before she died, by the way. I absolutely loved the novel, and I was a hundred percent positive this film, although it's a classic, would have disappointed me, because you know, hardly movies are as good as novels are. I couldn't have been more wrong, because Mulligan's "To Kill a Mockingbird" is a remarkable, utterly moving drama that really does justice to one of the best books ever written.

For those of you who are not familiar with it, the story is told through the eyes of Jean Louise Finch. It is about her father, Atticus Finch, and her family, and it takes place over several months of many years earlier. It is a beautiful psychological insight on childhood, about kids fantasies and the reality that surrounds them. But most important, it is a wonderful, and powerful story about racism and prejudice in our society, not only in the 1930's, but sadly today as well.

The moral of the book - man is scared of the unknown, and fear and ignorance can lead a man to do horrible things - is delivered to perfection thanks to Horton Foote's brilliant screenplay.

Robert Mulligan's direction manages to make the film both sentimental and powerful, as anyone who has read the novel would have wanted it to be, and it is has infinite sensitivity: in every single scene there are the sincere, innocents eyes of the young protagonists. 

Gregory Peck gives an excellent performance as Atticus Finch, a man who believes in the integrity of justice, yet recognizes the failings of the justice system. He brings to the screen the exact same character Harper Lee put on paper. Brock Peters is terrific as Tom Robinson, the black man falsely accused of raping a white girl. The trio of kids also does a great job, and in his screen debut Robert Duvall brings to life Boo Radley, the mysterious neighbor, and conveys great emotions with no dialogue at all.

Everyone should watch this film, because it really makes you understand what life is like when you live in a society that rejects you and discriminates against you all the time without a valid reason.


Mention-Worthy Quotes

Atticus Finch: If you just learn a single trick, Scout, you'll get along a lot better with all kinds of folks. You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view... Until you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it.

Primal Fear (1996)

Genre


Director


Country


Cast

Richard Gere, Edward Norton, Laura Linney, John Mahoney, Alfre Woodard, Frances McDormand, Reg Rogers, Terry O'Quinn, Andre Braugher, Steven Bauer, Joe Spano, Tony Plana, Stanley Anderson, Maura Tierney, Jon Seda, Kenneth Tigar

Plot

Famed defense lawyer Martin Vail (Richard Gere) volunteers his services to Aaron Stampler (Edward Norton), a Kentucky teenager charged with the murder of a Chicago archbishop. Covered with blood, Aaron was captured after a foot chase broadcast live on TV, making Vail certain that he could raise his profile by defending the guilty suspect. 

Opinion

Primal Fear is an entertaining thriller, with a good story and a surprising ending.
Richard Gere as Martin Vail does a good job. If I thought Edward Norton's performance was incredible in American History X, it is spectacular in Primal Fear: his best performance so far - excluding Birdman, which hasn't been released in my country yet.



Quotes

Martin Vail: Sooner or later a man who wears two faces forgets which one is real.

Rating

8.5/10