The Lincoln Lawyer [Blu-ray] [2011]

Matthew McConnaghey plays a defense lawyer with an array of shady clients amongst the criminal fraternity of Los Angeles. However his life gets complicated when he is hired to defend a rich kid accused of rape.

McConnaghey I generally find an unappealing actor, someone who's career is predominantly marked by a series of forgettable films through which he sleep walks. However in this film he actually acts, and acts well, presenting a credible portrayal of a likeable man who maintains his decency, and many of his principles, in spite of making a career defending the guilty. His scenes with Marissa Tomei and William H Macy are beautifully played conveying the depth of feeling and history amongst the characters. Ryan Phillippe, a very underrated actor in my opinion, as the client, displays once more his range and talent as a man who may, or may not, be guilty.

The plot is satisfingly twisty while retaining its intelligiblity. Overall the movie is a professionally done, highly entertaining piece of work, composed of good writing, good acting and unfussy direction, the combination of which are disappointingly rare these days.

The Lincoln Lawyer is based on the best-selling novel by Michael Connelly. I am a huge fan of the author and glad one of his latest novels has made it to the big screen, since Bloodwork debuted in 2002. It is an enjoyable legal thriller to watch. Matthew McConaughey's big break finally lands, as he fits the role of the main character as defence attorney Mickey Haller to perfection. The movie come across as charming and stylist, but never at one point sacrifices substance. The role of attorney suited for the under-rated actor. Many would label the actor as an under-achiever in Hollywood. The supporting acting is credible.

The plot features a defence attorney Mickey Haller. He roams around LA in a car to search for clients and striking deals in a distinctive style. The shots in the car are professionally done. A new case finally lands, as a bitter and unlikeable rich boy is accused of brutally beating an escort. Can the straight talking Haller win the case? The lawyer thinks the lad is innocent, as there is lack of evidence and unreliability of witness accounts. However there is another twist linked with a previous case as evidence against the lad is overwhelming. The lawyer digs deeper in a previous case and realises something suspicious is happening. Due to confidential reasons, he cannot discuss the case. The rich boy reflects his true colours and the situation becomes tricky and difficult for the lawyer. Drama starts to build up at a pivotal point and we observe a change in client-attorney relationship. It is an excellent portrayal of a court-room scenario.

The plot is gripping and nail biting. The momentum gradually builds as the scenes in the atmopsheric courtroom reach a thrilling climax. Characterisation is well sketched, as we learn a great deal about each character. There are startling contrasts. Haller comes across a strong character and I found it really easy to connect to the character. I find his character likeable and always standing out for strong principles. There is a personal touch to the character, as we observe Mickey as a competent lawyer and as a family person. Rich boy reveals a dark and ugly side to his character, as unfolded in the film.

The Lincoln Lawyer is an enjoyable and very watchable thriller. The film sustained my interest for long periods, as it is filled with a few twist and turns touches. The element of surprise strongly marks it presence. It is a well-written screenplay, filled with strong characters and is directed well.

This is a review of the Blu-Ray version.

Mickey Haller, a creation of high-profile novelist Michael Connelly, is a Los Angeles defence attorney who instead of having an office works out of an '87 Lincoln Towncar. The plot central to this film is his defence of a wealthy Beverly Hills property developer accused of attempted rape and violent assault - and possibly even more serious crimes from the past. The film examines the increasingly acrimonious relationship between defence attorney and defendant, the problems created by attorney-client privilege, and quite simply the conscience of a lawyer defending a man who grows more dislikable as the trial progresses.

As a film, it's pretty good with few obvious flaws. The acting is of a high standard, the script is sharp and the story is interesting. I was far from sure that Matthew McConaughey was the right choice before seeing this film, but within five minutes I had changed my mind and now feel that he did an excellent job. For large sections of the film as a whole, however, it comes across as more of a pilot for a TV series rather than a cinematic treat, this I would put down to rather ordinary cinematography and in particular some weak editing. I couldn't call it a must-see classic by any stretch, because it's bordering on the forgettable and offers very little in terms of truly new and original courtroom drama. In a way, the overall style and substance looks as old as Haller's Lincoln.

And that's disappointing because I read the book on which it is (heavily) based and although that was several years ago, I clearly remember being far more impressed with that than I was with this film, and never feeling that it was out of date at all. In the book, the suspect was more difficult to pin down as to his guilt or innocence, whereas in the film there was rarely any doubt at all, which removed a key element of suspense. In the film the prosecuting attorney comes over as weak and a complete mismatch for Haller; in the book it was far more gladiatorial, Haller having to fight much harder and this made for some of the best entertainment in the written product. It's fair to mention this difference because a large number of people seeing this film will be familiar with the book, or at least the character of Mickey Haller as there have been four novels so far and more on the way. For those familiar with the original novel, then, the film will be regarded as 'satisfactory' but lacking some of the fireworks of Connelly's written creation, not least in terms of courtroom dynamics.

There are some useful and interesting extras on the BD, including some deleted scenes, interviews with all the main characters and producers, and perhaps best of all an extended piece by Michael Connelly himself. His frustrations with his only other conversion to the big-screen (Blood Work) have been well documented, and reading between the lines I get the impression that while he's much happier with The Lincoln Lawyer as a film, probably because he had a considerable amount of influence in the screenplay, he's still a hard man to please. Sub-titles English only. I could find few benefits in either visual or audio terms for the high-definition Blu-Ray, and with hindsight I would definitely choose the standard-def.