Keswick Film Festival

Synopsis

Screenwriter Tony Gilroy (of the Bourne trilogy) makes his directing debut (but he's still the writer) in this legal/business thriller that is very reminiscent of John Grisham at his best. Michael Clayton (an excellent George Clooney playing a fixer for a powerful law firm) hurries through increasingly dangerous episodes telling clients what they don't want to hear "I'm not a miracle worker, I'm a janitor."

Gilroy has a knack for creating strong characters and situations that resonate with tension. His casting is superb: Clooney of course, but we're treated also to the best of Tilda Swinton, Sydney Pollack and Tom Wilkinson. A fascinating morality tale in the world of sharp suits and smooth operators.