The Lincoln Lawyer
The Lincoln Lawyer
Score: A-
Director: Brad Furman
Genre: Drama
Rating: PG-13
Starring: Matthew McConaughey, Marisa Tomei, Ryan Phillippe
Suggested mood/setting to be in: Ready to think, anticipatory.
Summary: McConaughey plays a successful defense attorney famous for getting even the guiltiest of criminals off when he receives the case of his life. This movie will make you think and wonder exactly what will happen to the characters next.
The Facts:
Mike Haller (McConaughey) is the defense attorney to go to in LA. He is extremely good at his job, which is proving innocence where innocence may not exist, and does it all out of the back of his Lincoln town car. When Louis Roulet (Phillippe) is arrested for brutalizing a hooker, he comes to Haller claiming complete innocence. As the case unfolds, Haller discovers the truth about not just his current case, but also a previous case and has to make a decision on what to do. All the while, he is being threatened to act in a certain way.
In the end, he must find a way to redeem himself and correct the wrongdoings he’s committed.
Thoughts and Opinions
I enjoy a good court drama and this one did not let me down. Unlike most court dramas, the guilt/innocence is not the focus of the film, but rather just a tool in helping the main character find himself. The entire film is intriguing in the way that it makes you wonder what you would do while you watch the main character make tough decisions that affect his career, his family, his well-being and his clients.
Plot
I can’t say much on the plot without spoiling the entire film (that’s the problem with this genre!), but I thought it was a well-constructed plot. The question of guilt/innocence is answered early in the film, which is nearly unheard of in this type of courtroom drama. It really puts the focus on the actions of McConaughey’s character and questions his morality, as well as asking the audience to think about what they would do in the same situation.
The ending of the film is satisfying. McConaughey’s character does grow, but he doesn’t do a complete 180, which makes the film feel more real and relatable.
Acting
McConaughey does a great job in this film. He plays a very charismatic, but morally questionable, character very well and adds mannerisms to the character to make him more likeable. He also looks quite sharp in his suits.
Phillippe plays the defendant and does it well. He is able to play up the ambiguity of his character and switch from seemingly guilty to seemingly innocent so well that you doubt your judgment of him for a while. His eyes do a great job in this transition and make his character feel warm when he’s supposed to be liked and cold when you doubt his stories.
Writing
Since this is an adapted screenplay (from Michael Connelly’s novel), I want to address the writing a bit. I thought the writing was well done, too. The dialogue was commanding, especially in the courtroom, and also individualized for the different characters. The language was not dirty, but strong and confident throughout which helps make the movie feel more believable.
Why it got this grade (A-)
As I’ve said, I enjoy a good courtroom drama. This one is probably my favorite since Runaway Jury in 2003. I thought the story was compelling, the acting was solid and it kept me interested right until the end. I particularly enjoyed the growth of the main character since it felt much more realistic and plausible than the 180 transformations that you get too often.
Score: A-
Director: Brad Furman
Genre: Drama
Rating: PG-13
Starring: Matthew McConaughey, Marisa Tomei, Ryan Phillippe
Suggested mood/setting to be in: Ready to think, anticipatory.
Summary: McConaughey plays a successful defense attorney famous for getting even the guiltiest of criminals off when he receives the case of his life. This movie will make you think and wonder exactly what will happen to the characters next.
The Facts:
Mike Haller (McConaughey) is the defense attorney to go to in LA. He is extremely good at his job, which is proving innocence where innocence may not exist, and does it all out of the back of his Lincoln town car. When Louis Roulet (Phillippe) is arrested for brutalizing a hooker, he comes to Haller claiming complete innocence. As the case unfolds, Haller discovers the truth about not just his current case, but also a previous case and has to make a decision on what to do. All the while, he is being threatened to act in a certain way.
In the end, he must find a way to redeem himself and correct the wrongdoings he’s committed.
Thoughts and Opinions
I enjoy a good court drama and this one did not let me down. Unlike most court dramas, the guilt/innocence is not the focus of the film, but rather just a tool in helping the main character find himself. The entire film is intriguing in the way that it makes you wonder what you would do while you watch the main character make tough decisions that affect his career, his family, his well-being and his clients.
Plot
I can’t say much on the plot without spoiling the entire film (that’s the problem with this genre!), but I thought it was a well-constructed plot. The question of guilt/innocence is answered early in the film, which is nearly unheard of in this type of courtroom drama. It really puts the focus on the actions of McConaughey’s character and questions his morality, as well as asking the audience to think about what they would do in the same situation.
The ending of the film is satisfying. McConaughey’s character does grow, but he doesn’t do a complete 180, which makes the film feel more real and relatable.
Acting
McConaughey does a great job in this film. He plays a very charismatic, but morally questionable, character very well and adds mannerisms to the character to make him more likeable. He also looks quite sharp in his suits.
Phillippe plays the defendant and does it well. He is able to play up the ambiguity of his character and switch from seemingly guilty to seemingly innocent so well that you doubt your judgment of him for a while. His eyes do a great job in this transition and make his character feel warm when he’s supposed to be liked and cold when you doubt his stories.
Writing
Since this is an adapted screenplay (from Michael Connelly’s novel), I want to address the writing a bit. I thought the writing was well done, too. The dialogue was commanding, especially in the courtroom, and also individualized for the different characters. The language was not dirty, but strong and confident throughout which helps make the movie feel more believable.
Why it got this grade (A-)
As I’ve said, I enjoy a good courtroom drama. This one is probably my favorite since Runaway Jury in 2003. I thought the story was compelling, the acting was solid and it kept me interested right until the end. I particularly enjoyed the growth of the main character since it felt much more realistic and plausible than the 180 transformations that you get too often.