Michael Clayton

2007, Drama, 2h 0m

205 Reviews 250,000+ Ratings

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. Read critic reviews

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Michael Clayton Photos

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Movie Info

Former prosecutor Michael Clayton (George Clooney) 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 (Tom Wilkinson) has a breakdown during a huge class-action lawsuit.

Rating:

R (Some Sexual Dialogue|Language)
Genre:

Drama
Original Language:

English
Director:

Tony Gilroy
Producer:

Sydney Pollack, Steve Samuels, Jennifer Fox, Kerry Orent
Writer:

Tony Gilroy
Release Date (Theaters):

Oct 12, 2007 wide
Release Date (Streaming):

Feb 19, 2008
Box Office (Gross USA):

$49.0M
Runtime:

2h 0m
Distributor:

Warner Bros.

Cast & Crew

George Clooney
Michael Clayton

Tom Wilkinson
Arthur Edens

Tilda Swinton
Karen Crowder

Sydney Pollack
Marty Bach

Ken Howard
Don Jeffries

Michael O'Keefe
Barry Grissom

Show all Cast & Crew

Critic Reviews for Michael Clayton

All Critics (205) | Top Critics (62) | Fresh (186) | Rotten (19)

Full Review… Deborah Ross The Spectator

Full Review… Ben Kenigsberg Time Out

Full Review… Joshua Rothkopf Time Out

Full Review… Bob Mondello NPR.org

Full Review… Alonso Duralde MSNBC

Full Review… Amy Nicholson I.E. Weekly

Full Review… Joanne Laurier World Socialist Web Site

Full Review… Mike Massie Gone With The Twins

Full Review… Leigh Monson Substream Magazine

Full Review… Leigh Paatsch Herald Sun (Australia)

Full Review… Danielle Solzman Solzy at the Movies

Full Review… Micheal Compton Bowling Green Daily News

View All Critic Reviews (205)

Audience Reviews for Michael Clayton

Nov 29, 2015

Though Michael Clayton is solidly acted, it doesn't grab the audience in any major way to make them care about any of the main characters. The plot is also a bit contrived never quite successful in letting the audience in on the struggles of the characters. George Clooney does what George Clooney does and is rather good at it. Tom Wilkinson is great in his few scenes as well as Tilda Swinton, but there was never much revealed about these characters. Overall, Michael Clayton is sophisticated but lacking in thrills and in a strong story. Rating: 60

Bradley J Super Reviewer
Jan 19, 2015

WAY overrated. Michael Clayton is a over the top cliche starring George Clooney as a down in the dump lawyer who specializes in fixing various questionable cases. However, he found himself getting trapped in a catastrophe of conspiracy and lies. He must figure out how to turn his life around while saving himself from getting killed. I got so bored and the acting was unconvincing. How could this film be nominated for so many awards is beyond me. Oh wait, I know, liberal critics and Hollywood.

Sylvester K Super Reviewer
Dec 26, 2013

Though not the most entertaining or innovative film, Michael Clayton is still a compelling, smart, and satisfying thriller that features strong acting and an interesting premise.

Matthew Samuel M Super Reviewer
Apr 05, 2013

Corporate greed's at the middle of this look at the behind the scenes legal wrangling in a wrongful death lawsuit, greed vs. morality. The leads are good (especially Swinton) even if the pace is slow at first, so distracting.

Kevin M. W Super Reviewer

See all Audience reviews

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