Advanced Search Beta »
Basic Search Fields
Michael Clayton
Michael Clayton Image
See the trailer
Metascore
82 out of 100

Universal acclaim - based on 36 Critics What's this?

User Score
7.1 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 222 Ratings

Your Score
10 out of 10
Rate this:
  • Starring: George Clooney, Tilda Swinton, Tom Wilkinson
  • Summary: Michael Clayton (George Clooney) is an in-house "fixer" at one of the largest corporate law firms in New York. At the behest of the firm’s co-founder Marty Bach, Clayton, a former prosecutor from a family of cops, takes care of Kenner, Bach & Ledeen’s dirtiest work. Clayton cleans up clients’ messes, handling anything from hit-and-runs and damaging stories in the press to shoplifting wives and crooked politicians. Burned out and discontented in his job, Clayton is inextricably tied to the firm. At the agrochemical company U/North, the career of in-house chief counsel Karen Crowder rests on the settlement of the suit that Kenner, Bach & Ledeen is leading to a seemingly successful conclusion. When the firms top litigator, the brilliant Arthur Edens, has an apparent breakdown and tries to sabotage the entire case, Marty Back sends Michael Clayton to tackle this unprecedented disaster and in doing so, Clayton comes face to face with the reality of what he has become. (Warner Bros.)… Expand

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 36 out of 36
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 36
  3. Negative: 0 out of 36
  1. Entertainment Weekly
    Reviewed by: Owen Gleiberman
    100
    It's better than good; it's such a crackling and mature and accomplished movie that it just about restores your faith.
  2. USA Today
    Reviewed by: Claudia Puig
    100
    It's a rare film that can challenge our minds and rattle our nerves so profoundly. This is unequivocally a thriller for adults. A deftly written, tautly suspenseful and intellectually demanding morality tale.
  3. Chicago Sun-Times
    Reviewed by: Roger Ebert
    100
    I don't know what vast significance Michael Clayton has (it involves deadly pollution but isn't a message movie). But I know it is just about perfect as an exercise in the genre.

See all 36 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 98 out of 143
  2. Mixed: 22 out of 143
  3. Negative: 23 out of 143
  1. JoshP.
    10
    The year 2007 produced so several of instant classics in my book, and Michael Clayton is definitly one of them. This movie was, for the most part, a character piece, and George Clooney, along with the superb support from Tom Wilkinson and Tilda Swinton, most certainly delivered is best performance yet.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  2. TheGorilla
    5
    The movie looked so promising, but it was all lost, I don't know where and I don't know why? The movie went in different directions, and left me without answers and with many questions. It was disconnected, and I don't understand why the little guy told Michael (George Clooney) the story from the book, and what about his uncle, and the story behind their relationship? The plot is really weak, and I don't know why the critics supported this movie. But, I was blown away with Tom Wilkinson's performance, he did a great job with Arthur. He gave the character a dimension. Clooney, on the other hand, acted himself, as usual. I believe that Clooney is the most boring actor I've ever seen.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  3. NancyZ.
    3
    Film went off in hundred directions and never quite developed anything. Clooney just broods. I can not see the hipe in this film. What a mess.
    • 1 of 1 users said yes

See all 143 User Reviews

Trailers

Recommended Products

  1. Haywire

    Haywire Image

  2. Coriolanus

    Coriolanus Image

  3. A Separation

    A Separation Image

Current Movie Releases

Full List »
  1. Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
    Metascore: 85
  2. Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol
    Metascore: 73
  3. War Horse
    Metascore: 72
  4. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
    Metascore: 71
  5. Chronicle
    Metascore: 69
  6. The Adventures of Tintin
    Metascore: 68
  7. Haywire
    Metascore: 67
  8. The Grey
    Metascore: 64
  9. The Woman in Black
    Metascore: 62
  10. We Bought a Zoo
    Metascore: 58
  11. The Iron Lady
    Metascore: 54
  12. Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows
    Metascore: 48
  13. Red Tails
    Metascore: 46
  14. Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close
    Metascore: 46
  15. The Devil Inside
    Metascore: 18
  16. The Darkest Hour
    Metascore: 16
All Current Movies »