The Truth Can Be Adjusted

Starring: George Clooney, Tom Wilkinson, Tilda Swinton, Sydney Pollack, Michael O'Keefe, Danielle Skraastad, Wai Chan

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

"I'm not the guy you kill. I'm the guy you buy! Are you so f'ing blind that you don't even see what I am? I sold out Arthur for 80 grand. I'm your easiest problem and you're gonna kill me?" - Michael Clayton

Why watch this? This is another solid effort by Clooney. He's a master of understatement.

Plot Summary: Michael Clayton works as a "fixer" at a prestigious New York law firm, essentially cleaning up the messes made by the firm and its wealthy clients. He's called in when one of the firm's senior partners, Arthur Edens, has a breakdown during a multi-billion dollar class-action lawsuit against an agricultural conglomerate called U-North. As Clayton tries to manage the fallout from Edens' erratic behavior, he uncovers corruption and potential criminal wrongdoing surrounding the lawsuit, putting his own life at risk.

Dad's Preview: This story is such a rewarding, intelligent slow burn. We meet Mr. Clayton and quickly learn that he is a corporate "fixer". His vast experience and connections are invaluable to legal firms when they need problems to "just go away". When his good friend at the firm starts acting strange (he grows a conscious) and quite unexpectedly succumbs, Michael realizes that he's probably next. This is the point that I really began to see George Clooney's genius. He makes acting look so easy. I also love the erratic performance by Tom Wilkinson. The last scene in this film is worth the price of admission alone.

Samuels Media, Castle Rock Ent., Mirage Ent., Section Eight Prod.;
Warner Bros. Pictures