Matthew McConaughey is terrific as hotshot defense lawyer Mick Haller in “The Lincoln Lawyer,” based on Michael Connelly’s bestselling novel. Of course, some of the subplots have been eliminated and some of the character development streamlined, but the essential story is there so kudos to John Romano, who adapted this screenplay. “The Lincoln Lawyer” is a typical courtroom drama that morphs into a thriller that forces an attorney to balance the ethics of his profession with the need to do the right thing. Self-assured, even a little smug, Mick Haller tools around town in a Lincoln Town Car and will defend anyone who can pay his fee. When he’s called to represent wealthy Louis Roulet (Ryan Phillippe), who is accused of assault and attempted rape, Mick thinks he’s just hit the jackpot until some ugly facts of the cast start to surface. When Mick connects this case to a previous murder where another man went to prison, he realizes that this is a case he wants to lose, but he must do everything in his power to achieve a ‘not guilty’ verdict for Roulet. 3/18/11
Matthew McConaughey tends to choose roles that require little effort. Remember Fool’s Gold and Ghosts of Girlfriends Past? However, it takes a role like Mick Haller to remind us that McConaughey can be a compelling onscreen presence. Effective, too, is Marisa Tomei as Haller’s ex, mother of his daughter and his opposite, a prosecuting attorney, in the courtroom although she doesn’t get enough screen time. William H. Macy is good as Haller’s investigator and Ryan Phillippe is chilling as a baby-faced sociopath. “The Lincoln Lawyer” has a few twists and a satisfying conclusion. What more can you ask for?
1 comment:
This film ranks with some of the great court room dramas of the past......hope we see more of these. For those of us who read the book, we appreciate Matthew McConaughey as Mickey Haller. He really does a great job here!
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