Cast

Tom Wilkinson … Arthur Edens
Michael O’Keefe … Barry Grissom
Sydney Pollack … Marty Bach
Danielle Skraastad … Bridget Klein (voice)
Tilda Swinton … Karen Crowder
George Clooney … Michael Clayton

Synopsis

Middle-aged lawyer Michael Clayton (George Clooney) is a “fixer” who clears up complex or dirty cases on behalf of corporate clients. But he has a number of personal and professional problems. His family life is messy; he’s a lone parent, his brother has run up large debts, he’s struggling with a gambling problem, his career appears to be going no-where – and he has become tired of fixing other people’s mistakes.

An old friend and colleague, Arthur Edens (Tom Wilkinson), has been working on an important case on behalf of a large client for eight years but the case is not going well and his friend’s behavior is causing concern. Clayton is called in to fix the problem.

As he discovers more about the case, Clayton realizes that the plaintiffs’ case is correct and when Edens dies, Clayton himself becomes a target for the dark forces that defend corporate interests.

Clayton narrowly survives an assassination attempt (when his car is blown up) and confronts one of the company directors, Karen Crowder (Tilda Swinton), with evidence of corporate malfeasance. She offers to buy his silence but he is recording the conversation and she is arrested.

Trivia

All the scenes with Jennifer Ehle as Michael’s girlfriend were cut, one of which is included in the Deleted Scenes feature of the DVD release.

Quotes

[from trailer]
Michael Clayton: You are the senior litigating partner of one of the largest, most respected law firms in the world. You are a legend.
Arthur Edens: I’m an accomplice!
Michael Clayton: You’re a manic-depressive!
Arthur Edens: I am Shiva, the god of death.

Henry Clayton: What?
Michael Clayton: Your uncle Timmy, and I mean this, on his best day, is never as tough as you. I’m not talking about crying or drugs or anything like that. I’m talking about in his heart. In his heart. Do you understand me? And all this charming bullshit. This Big Tim, Uncle Boss bullshit… and I know you love him and I know why… but when you see him like that you don’t have to worry… because that’s not how it’s going to be for you. You’re not going to be one of these people who goes through life wondering why shit keeps falling out of the sky around them. I know that. I know it. OK?
[Henry nods]
Michael Clayton: I see it every time I look at you. I see it right now. I don’t know where you got it from, but you got it. OK?
Michael Clayton: [phone rings] Hold on…

Karen Crowder: You don’t want the money?
Michael Clayton: Keep the money. You’ll need it.
Don Jefferies: Is this fellow bothering you?
Michael Clayton: Am I bothering you?
Don Jefferies: Karen, I’ve got a board waiting in there. What the hell’s going on? Who are you?
Michael Clayton: I’m Shiva, the God of death.

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