Film Review
By Rama Gaind
Film: The Lincoln Lawyer
Stars: Matthew McConaughey, Marisa Tomei, Ryan Philippe, Josh Lucas, John Leguizano, Michael Pena, Laurence Mason, Bob Gunton, Frances Fisher, William H. Macy
Director: Brad Furman
Matthew McConaughey proves himself as a solid actor in the role of a criminal defence lawyer in The Lincoln Lawyer.
As Mick Haller, he is street-smart in Los Angeles with an unusual mode of operation: working out of the back seat of his chauffer-driven black Lincoln Continental. You can read that he is conceited by his (NTGUILTY) number plate.
He is slightly unprincipled, as he bribes court bailiffs for favours and uses underhand means to trick his opponents. His clients are mostly drug-dealing bikers, petty thieves, hookers and the infrequent low-level killer he handles by using his knowledge of exploiting the legal system.
However, his luck changes (or does it?) after he gets a rich Beverly Hills playboy (Phillippe) as a client, who has been accused of attempted rape and attempted murder of a woman called Reggie. He is the spoiled son of real estate mogul Mary Windsor (Fisher). The client adamantly declares his innocence, insisting that the whole thing is a set-up to extort money from him.
Haller, for once, thinks that might be the case and instead of deals and plea bargains, he may actually have to go to court to defend his client.
This client had come his way, thanks to bail bondsman (Leguizamo) whom he had paid-off.
Unfortunately, he fails to smell a foul odour which is picked up by his faithful investigator (Macy).
Mick believes there’s no client “as scary as an innocent man” (as his father used to say) and is more worried about failing to protect the innocent than he is about helping the guilty.
He’s perturbed by the apparent innocence of his latest client.
Moving at a speedy pace, the story introduces key characters: Haller’s ex-wife and a prosecuting attorney (Tomei) whose character is not used to advantage, opposing attorney (Lucas) and faithful chauffer (Mason).
This is a cut above the usual crop of crime storytelling, even though the themes are well-worn.
When it comes to crime, the hands behind The Lincoln Lawyer are experienced. Director Brad Furman chose crime in his first feature, The Take and screenwriter John Romano did time as writer-producer on L.A. Law, Monk and Hill Street Blues.
The film is based on a Mickey Haller novel by crime novelist Michael Connelly.
The film oozes a heavy-duty aroma of déjà vu as it accomplishes what it sets out to do to entertain with sturdy performances, cool mannerisms and a toe-tapping rap soundtrack.
NTBAD!
