The Bottom Line
Pros
- Features a pack of incredible performances
- A fresh take on legal dramas
- First-time director Tony Gilroy proves he's a force to be reckoned with
Cons
- Not much in the way of extra features
Description
- Starring George Clooney, Tom Wilkinson, Tilda Swinton, and Sydney Pollack
- Written and directed by Tony Gilroy
- Rated R for language including some sexual dialogue
- DVD Release Date: February 19, 2008
Guide Review - 'Michael Clayton' DVD Review
The StoryMichael Clayton (Clooney) is a fixer. His job at the huge law firm of Kenner, Bach & Leeden is to work behind the scenes handling damage control for firm's powerful clients. He also helps to take care of his long-time associate, Arthur Edens (Wilkinson), one of the top litigators employed at Kenner, Bach & Leeden. Arthur is manic-depressive and Clayton is asked to step in when Arthur stops taking his medication and performs a bizarre strip tease during an important deposition.
Edens, one of the firm's top dogs, has come to the conclusion that a class-action lawsuit against the firm's client U/North has merit. Although he's defending the agrochemical giant, Edens believes hundreds of people have died as a direct result of using the company's weed killer. Clayton's orders are to get Edens back on his meds and under control, but the fixer soon determinations his friend is on the right track.
The Bonus Material
If you rent or buy Michael Clayton, it'll have to be because of the film itself and not the extras. Michael Clayton earned seven Academy Award nominations and its stars made dozens of critics' Top 10 lists, so maybe no one felt it was necessary to pack the DVD with more than a couple extras. The Michael Clayton DVD only features a commentary track by director Tony Gilroy and editor John Gilroy (yes, they're related) and deleted scenes with optional commentary. That's it. No behind-the-scenes featurettes, cast interviews, or any of the other bonus material we've come to expect from major studio releases.
