Michael Clayton

George Clooney is Michael Clayton, a fixer at a large law firm that's pursuing a class action against a chemical company. He's called in to clean up when the firm's prosecutor (Wilkinson) has a breakdown which endangers the entire case and finds himself embroiled in murder and conspiracy, all the while up to his neck in gambling debts and family problems. Much like Syriana, Michael Clayton sees smooth Clooney giving way to hard-assed, grumpy Clooney, and it's a side it would be nice to see more of. Clayton is a great character, part fast-talking lawyer, part Winston Wolf, but with a personal life that's in the toilet, and Clooney brings a world weary cynicism to what may have been a clichéd role. High tension, taut action, blistering exchanges and even some moving moments make Michael Clayton a rattling legal thriller not to be missed. [Paul Greenwood]