The Lincoln Lawyer

So, you’ve just watched a Matthew McConaughey film. What’s your over-riding emotion? Disappointment, of course, you’ve just watched a Matthew McConaughey film. So, you’ll be unsurprised to hear that you’ll also feel disillusioned after watching his latest film, The Lincoln Lawyer. Here’s the catch though. This film is great and so is McConaughey. So why the negative thoughts still? Well, they’ll actually be thoughts of frustration this time as McConaughey digs up that star wattage he threatened to use on a regular basis at the start of his career before he sank into the mire with a collection of lame action adventures and rom-coms. The film is based on Michael Connelly’s novel of the same name and Connelly himself has given this version the thumbs up. You can see why, as this is an intricately plotted courtroom thriller. McConaughey takes the lead as morally dubious lawyer Mickey Haller, who on taking on the case of a wealthy young man (played by Ryan Philippe) starts to have a crisis of confidence as to whether he should really be trying to get his defendant off the charges or not. Saying more will give the game away, but though there aren’t any major twists in the film it keeps your attention all the way through due to the ambiguity of what’s happening, all the way up until the entertaining finish. McConaughey is great, clearing relishing in a role that means he can utilise his phone it in sleaziness, but also add more depth when needed. Philippe is also good and plays his part so well he will get under your skin just as much as he does Haller’s. On the minus side, there’s no denying that the rest of the characters are fairly one dimensional, but there’s decent acting across the board and each role, however small, adds something to the story. Much credit must go to young director Brad Furman in what is pretty much his mainstream debut. The excellent screenplay is there for him already, but he adeptly moves the film along and respects the audience in the fact he doesn’t signpost everything that’s happening. There’s some nice use of flashbacks as well and the film has a real polished look to it. This can hold its head up high due to the combination of successful screenplay, acting and direction. Where next for Furman and McConaughey, though?

The OC Film Sting Final Verdict

An engaging film, aptly marshalled by Furman with the McConaughey of old to the fore. Rating: 8/10.