The Lincoln Lawyer

Welcome to another episode Lights....Camera....Popcorn!

Today's review is The Lincoln Lawyer. Directed by Brad Furman. Written by John Romano. Based on the novel "The Lincoln Lawyer" written by Michael Connelly.

Review #111

MPAA Rating: R for some violence, sexual content and language.

Runtime: 118 min

Cast

Matthew McConaughey - Mick Haller

Marisa Tomei - Maggie McPherson

Ryan Phillippe - Louis Roulet

William H. Macy - Frank Levin

Josh Lucas - Ted Minton

John Leguizamo - Val Valenzuela

Michael Peña - Jesus Martinez

Bob Gunton - Cecil Dobbs

Frances Fisher - Mary Windsor

Bryan Cranston - Detective Lankford

Trace Adkins - Eddie Vogel

Laurence Mason - Earl

Margarita Levieva - Reggie Campo


The justice system is a very complicated machine. When used properly it can be an indefensible weapon against the presumed unjust. However, it can also be manipulated to serve the needs of the unjust as well. This of course comes to light by the expertise of the defense attorney. It's a job that requires an incredible amount of skill, intelligence, knowledge and finally a very lengthy leash when it comes to morality.

Mick Haller has all those qualities and applies each one with a genius stroke that makes him a force to be reckoned with in the court room. What makes him even more engaging is the fact he operates his firm in the backseat of his Lincoln. He struts around the courthouse with this silent bravado, that is until he takes Louis Roulet's case. A rich brat who's charged with rape and assault. This case challenges Mick's ability to use the law to his benefit when he realizes things about his newest client as a strange connection is made with a past client.

At the outset, The Lincoln Lawyer is presented as your run of the mill legal thriller. You have your hot shot lawyer who can't lose. Until a specific case challenges his talents and moral code. But then it takes a very interesting turn and plays more like a heist film. What I mean by that is the 1 up-man-ship that ends up happening between Haller and Roulet as Haller discovers things about the case that trouble him. The flow of the story here is paced well. You get the right balance between plot changes. This allows you to stay with the action as it happens and not try to piece things together after the fact. Though there are some twists along the way there isn't any hocus pocus misdirection to get you there. It's cleverly crafted within the framework of reality.

The cast is quite stellar. Led of course by McConaughey. He brings a steely dignity to his profession of defending the scum of the earth. He has this no nonsense about him that strikes your attention. The rest of the ensemble is just as good with maybe the exception of Marisa Tomei's character. She plays Haller's ex wife and it seemed that she just wasn't needed in this film with exception of helping to move the story along. I think this is a by product of poor character development between her and Haller. They kind of breezed by the fact that they were once married. Their relationship is rather tame for a split couple and it felt confusing to me. Aside from that everyone else was fine.

On the 5 star scale. The Lincoln Lawyer gets 3 stars with a "Go See It" recommendation.

That's a wrap for today. Up next is Paul.

Until Next Episode...."I'll Save You A Seat!"

"D"