Michael Clayton
Seen it?2007 | 120 min | Drama, Thriller, Crime
Friday Night FlickWhy it’s a Friday Night Flick
Critics loved it (90% on Rotten Tomatoes), it won an Oscar, it was a solid box office hit and it's still drawing plenty of interest. Make plans for this one.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for crime-drama fans and anyone who likes to be kept guessing. If you loved Witness for the Prosecution or Just Mercy, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Tense, dark and gritty.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 2 hr.
- What might put you off
- Rated R: meant for adults.
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
A law firm brings in its "fixer" to remedy the situation after a lawyer has a breakdown while representing a chemical company that he knows is guilty in a multi-billion dollar class action suit.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsVery strong
90% on Rotten Tomatoes, 82 on Metacritic
- AudiencesSolid
6.8 out of 10
- AwardsVery strong
Won 1 Oscar: Academy Awards: Best Supporting Actress. Won 1 BAFTA: BAFTA Awards: Best Supporting Actress. Also nominated for 6 more Oscars, 4 Golden Globes and 3 SAG Awards. Plus 9 other awards.
- Box office & staying powerStrong
$93 million worldwide on a $25 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactStrong
About 335K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
More like this
Changing Lanes
Sunday Safe BetAlso stars Sydney Pollack, in another legal thriller, and a safe bet for a quiet night.
Roman J. Israel, Esq.
Weeknight WatchAnother legal crime drama, though it's more of a weeknight watch.
Witness for the Prosecution Friday Night FlickAnother critically acclaimed legal crime drama.
Just Mercy Friday Night FlickAnother much-loved legal crime drama.
Catch Me If You Can Friday Night FlickAnother critically acclaimed crime drama.
Want more like this, picked just for you? Get my picks
Cast & crew
Directed by Tony Gilroy
- George ClooneyMichael Clayton
- Tom WilkinsonArthur Edens
- Tilda SwintonKaren Crowder
- Sydney PollackMarty Bach
- Michael O'KeefeBarry Grissom
- Ken HowardDon Jeffries
- Sean CullenGene Clayton
- Merritt WeverAnna
- Austin WilliamsHenry Clayton
- Robert PrescottMr. Verne