Michael Clayton

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Michael Clayton

R

2007

2h 0m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

90%

Tomatometer

202 Reviews

69%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

Former prosecutor Michael Clayton works as a "fixer" at the corporate law firm of Kenner, Bach and Ledeen, and takes care of his employer's dirty work. Burned out and deep in debt, he is bound tightly to the firm. Clayton faces the biggest challenge of his career when a guilt-ridden attorney has a breakdown during a huge class-action lawsuit.

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Critics Consensus

Michael Clayton is one of the most sharply scripted films of 2007, with an engrossing premise and faultless acting. Director Tony Gilroy succeeds not only in capturing the audience's attention, but holding it until the credits roll.

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David Fear

Blender

Sep 8, 2023

There is a lot to admire in [Michael Clayton] regarding corruption and personal responsibility. You may, however, want to cut out before [the end].

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Deborah Ross

The Spectator

Aug 23, 2018

The storytelling is so good I simply got caught up, and, as for George, he is seriously, seriously good... Here, his performance is passionate, subtle and right on the money.

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Alonso Duralde

MSNBC

May 1, 2008

4/5

Michael Clayton definitely has its heart in the '70s.

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Wesley Lovell

Cinema Sight

Oct 10, 2023

3/4

Michael Clayton has an important story to tell, but is sometimes overly stifling in its stuffy pretenses.

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Joanne Laurier

World Socialist Web Site

Mar 5, 2021

The multifaceted pieces of the film are well orchestrated and the performances strong, although the movie's beginning is somewhat chaotic.

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Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

Nov 26, 2020

7/10

This is Clooney at his brooding best, in a solid drama with an ending as explosive as its beginning.

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Gary J

@RT39779352 Sep 10, 2026

Swinton won for best supporting, but I think George Clooney’s performance was so spot on that he deserved an Oscar. Though she did an excellent job, and I can’t fault her performance. This is a superbly done story of intrigue, lunacy, loyalty and some very bad decisions that lead to a satisfying climax. I loved this movie, and have seen it several times. Excellent writing, acting and direction all around.

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bruce F

@bruce999 Aug 3, 2026

nice drama. worth viewing. i've watched it 3 times...i love it. don't pass it by. it's under-rated

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Jonathan B

@RT43918092 Jul 9, 2026

One of the best films of the 2000s, and probably Clooney’s best acting performance. Shades of 70s/80s thrillers such as Absence of Malice and Network. Those who enjoy such conspiracy movies will like this one, and can take multiple viewings to put all the pieces together. The plot only becomes more topical with every story of corporate malfeasance and corruption that plagues our news headlines.

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W.L. C.

@WayneCampbell Jun 27, 2026

"Michael Clayton" is one of the films I missed while working two jobs to keep my family out of destitution 20 years ago. I finally got around to it; I probably could've waited another 20. I'm all for a slow burn, but this is a pot that never boils. A stacked cast in a tepid film. The score is reminiscent of a lullaby and the color palette is so beige it may as well be wallpaper in a vacant hospital. Tony Gilroy is a gifted writer, but this one is a wet fart at best.

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Costantino D.

@CosMovies May 28, 2026

Masterpiece in every way.

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Jeff C

@Popsstargell79 May 8, 2026

A perfect film. The writing is superb and the performances from Clooney, Wilkinson, Swinton, Pollack are sublime.

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Tony Gilroy

Director

George Clooney

Michael Clayton

Tom Wilkinson

Arthur Edens

Tilda Swinton

Karen Crowder

Sydney Pollack

Marty Bach

Ken Howard

Don Jeffries

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82%

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Synopsis

Former prosecutor Michael Clayton works as a "fixer" at the corporate law firm of Kenner, Bach and Ledeen, and takes care of his employer's dirty work. Burned out and deep in debt, he is bound tightly to the firm. Clayton faces the biggest challenge of his career when a guilt-ridden attorney has a breakdown during a huge class-action lawsuit.

Director: Tony Gilroy
Producer: Sydney Pollack, Steve Samuels, Jennifer Fox, Kerry Orent
Screenwriter: Tony Gilroy
Distributor: Warner Bros.
Production Co: Mirage Enterprises, Section Eight Ltd.
Rating: R (Some Sexual Dialogue|Language)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 12, 2007, Wide
Rerelease Date (Theaters): Jan 25, 2008
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 2, 2009
Box Office (Gross USA): $49.0M
Runtime: 2h 0m

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