The Lincoln Lawyer

2011

The Lincoln Lawyer

Critics Consensus

It doesn't offer any twists on the predictable courtroom thriller formula, but with a charming Matthew McConaughey leading its solid cast, The Lincoln Lawyer offers briskly enjoyable entertainment.

84%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 172

82%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 68,588
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Movie Info

Matthew McConaughey stars in this legal thriller as a low-rent defense attorney named Mickey Haller. Most of the time, Mickey barely keeps his head above water, representing low-life clients and working out of the back of his car. He thinks he's landed the case of a lifetime when he's hired to defend a rich playboy (Ryan Phillippe) who stands accused of rape and attempted murder, and eagerly accepts his new client and the massive payoff that's sure to come with him. But Mickey soon discovers that he's become ensnared in a twisted plot where no fee in the world is high enough to pay for the deadly workload, and his only hope of survival may just lay in his own skills as a long-practiced double-crosser. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
  • Rating:
    R (for some violence, sexual content and language)
  • Genre:
    Drama, Mystery & Suspense
  • Directed By:
    Brad Furman
  • Written By:
    John Romano
  • In Theaters:
     wide
  • On Disc/Streaming:
  • Box Office:
    $57,900,000
  • Runtime:
  • Studio:
    Lionsgate Films

Cast

Marisa Tomei
as Maggie McPherson
Matthew McConaughey
as Mick Haller
Ryan Phillippe
as Louis Roulet
Josh Lucas
as Ted Minton
John Leguizamo
as Val Valenzuela
Michael Peña
as Jesus Martinez
Bob Gunton
as Cecil Dobbs
Frances Fisher
as Mary Windsor
Bryan Cranston
as Detective Lankford
William H. Macy
as Frank Levin
Trace Adkins
as Eddie Vogel
Margarita Levieva
as Reggie Campo
Laurence Mason
as Earl
Pell James
as Lorna
Shea Whigham
as Corliss
Katherine Moennig
as Gloria
Michael Paré
as Detective Kurlen
Michaela Conlin
as Detective Sobel
Mackenzie Aladjem
as Hayley Haller
Reggie Baker
as Judge Fullbright
Javier Grajeda
as Bailiff Reynaldo
David Castro
as Harold Casey
Conor O'Farrell
as Judge Orton Powell
Charlie Hirsch
as Prosecutor
Roland Feliciano
as Biker
Jeffrey R. Cole
as Van Nuys Judge
Andrew Staes
as Maggie's Co-Counsel
Donnie Smith
as Sticks
Erin Carufel
as Leslie Faire
Sam Upton
as Officer Maxwell
Matthew Moreno
as Officer # 2
L. Emille Thomas
as Officer # 3
Kate Mulligan
as Minton's Secretary
Edwin Dunn
as Golfer #1
Eric Huus
as Golfer #2
Rick Filkins
as Golfer #3
Melanie Molnar
as Junior Prosecutor
Stephanie Mace
as Diner Waitress
Yari Deleon
as Donna Renteria
Christian George
as San Quentin Guard
Randy Mulkey
as Bartender
Scott Wood
as L.A. Rehab Guard
Earl Carroll
as Court Clerk
Melanie Benz
as Assistant DA
Eric Etebari
as Charles Talbot
Sharyn Bamber
as Court Stenographer
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Critic Reviews for The Lincoln Lawyer

All Critics (172) | Top Critics (44) | Fresh (144) | Rotten (28)

View All Critic Reviews (172)

Audience Reviews for The Lincoln Lawyer

  • Sep 30, 2014
    The film that marked a resurgence in McConaughey's career which finally led to his Oscar this year. He is on top form here and has gone onto even better since. He's joined by a great cast (with the only slightly weak being Phillipe) and the story, although predictable, is entertaining in a kind of John Grisham type of way. Not a classic film but nice to see an actor hitting his stride again.
    David S Super Reviewer
  • Jan 12, 2013
    Brad Furman's obnoxious, in-your-face visual style certainly cheapens the overall product, but it's the only problem that "The Lincoln Lawyer" really has. Story-wise, it's pretty entertaining. The plotting feels half-inspired from literally every crime novel out there, but the script doesn't feel derivative or like a knock-off. Matthew McConaughey manages to hold the film together with his cool, captivating performance even when we're not entirely convinced by much else that's going on. And the best part about "The Lincoln Lawyer" is that it's one of those movies where its creators don't even care that we aren't convinced either, and in a way, that makes it all the more fun.
    Stephen E Super Reviewer
  • Dec 23, 2012
    What a great movie--one of the more cerebral films I've seen in recent years. Not a fan of McConaughey but he's pretty good here.
    Stephen S Super Reviewer
  • Nov 26, 2012
    A magnificent courtroom drama/thriller that serves with the same extremities as the hammer of justice. The Lincoln Lawyer is mostly held up by the enigmatic performance from McConaughey as well as the supporting cast. With it's courtroom splendor and gritty thrills, the film is extraordinary. 4/5
    Eugene B Super Reviewer
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