It's fair to say that Matthew McConaughey hasn't always made the best of career choices. Since beginning promisingly with a role in Dazed and Confused almost 20 years ago, the film appearances that followed sank him into a type cast of mediocrity. Rather than striving for anything more substantial, to fulfill the promise he had shown, he appeared content to complacently drift along which, by the way, was a type cast he often portrays; the 'easy going underachiever without-a-care-in-the-world'. Failing to appear in anything of notable quality means that when he does star in a film that's half decent, it's somewhat of a surprise to see him shine with his dormant acting ability.
The Lincoln Lawyer is just that film. In one of his better roles to date (which isn't difficult), the character of hot shot lawyer Mick Haller works for him because he works for the role. The story follows Mick as he shadily conducts his business from the back of his chauffeur driven Lincoln, which inevitably leads him to associate with typically questionable sorts.
McConaughey plays the part of a slick, smooth talking defence lawyer well, as it's the archetype he can recreate with ease. It's a role he's built for and excels as the smarmy city slicker who, after a couple of plot twists en route, is reduced to a nervous insomniac as we witness him morph into a paranoid, dishevelled and irrational person when put under the spot light himself.
The plot, based on the novel by Michael Connelly, is a clever and well balanced story, with just the right amount of twists and pacing to assert it as one of the most gripping thrillers of the year. Tomei does a worthy job as the emotionally involved ex-partner and shows she can handle a more meaty role after having mostly lightweight parts in recent years. Phillippe also masters the part of the brash and overly assured accused. Phillippe convinces as both the innocent victim as well as the sinister deceiver, displaying a hint of intensity in his performance. Aided by the good chemistry between himself and McConaughey as the story cranks up the tension, the acting adheres a sense of believability to the film. It isn't, however, likely to wow the Oscars panel, but all parties play their roles with a sense of swagger and conviction. Plot intricacies and some dialogue is, admittedly, 'law talk' but the bare essentials of what's occurring still renders it accessible for those unfamiliar with the judiciary spiel.
Acting aside, the most pleasing aspect of The Lincoln Lawyer is how the genre morphs from uber tense thriller into courtroom drama for the remaining 45 minutes or so. The latter setting can be something of a turn off to some as, if not handled correctly, the story can get lost down a cul-de-sac of monotony. Thankfully, the pace and momentum of the first hour spills into the climactic days of Phillippe's trial as he twists and manipulates Mick whilst cleverly remaining on the right side of the law. Never does it feel laboured, whilst the threat is both psychological as well as physical, it's down to the quick thinking, king of legally-screwing-people-over-in-courts Mick to ironically find one of his many loop holes used to defend his clients. The element of danger is only exacerbated when Maggie's life, as well as his own, is threatened, which adds urgency to the climax.
★★★★
Sources : Internet Movie Database
Images : Google Images
