8 / 10

For ten years, George Clooney has been one of Hollywood’s most fascinating leading men.

He’s the kind of movie star who can carry big-budget capers like the “Ocean’s Eleven” series and then be just as convincing in meatier, Oscar-worthy movies, like “Syriana,” “Three Kings” and “Good Night, and Good Luck.”

Fans of the latter will find much to admire in “Michael Clayton.” This intelligently crafted thriller impresses through subtlety and character development as opposed to big explosions and car chases.

Clooney plays Michael Clayton, an attorney who works as an in-house “fixer” for a powerful New York law firm. (For anyone who has seen “Pulp Fiction,” his job is not unlike The Wolf’s.) His firm sends him to top clients to “clean up” legal messes (like hitting a jogger with their car).

It’s a job Clayton does almost begrudgingly. “I’m not a miracle worker,” he tells one of his clients, “I’m a janitor.” Despite the suits he wears and the car he drives, his job is hardly lucrative.

One of the film’s most interesting aspects is showing how, despite his professional appearance, Clayton is in debt and desperately trying to find money.

The plot centers around a giant class-action lawsuit filed against an agricultural company’s deadly product.

Clayton is sent out to clean up the mess left by a brilliant but mentally unstable colleague played by Tom Wilkinson.

Wilkinson is supposed to be defending the corporation, but has a mental breakdown after he finds some damning evidence in the case.

While cynics may point out a familiarity with a David and Goliath-esque story, “Michael Clayton” proves to be more. Thanks to its great script that pays special attention to making its characters realistic, this film does not disappoint.

Along with Clooney, Tilda Swinton is excellent as a lawyer working for the corrupt corporation. Instead of making her a shrewd villain, the film takes time to show her getting ready for her day, rehearsing her speech to the board, showing the pressure she is under to win.

It’s a remarkable juxtaposition with Clayton, who seems to be falling into a rut while she rises in power.

This is also the first film directed by screenwriter Tony Gilroy, whose previous credits include work on each of “The Bourne Identity” movies. It makes sense that a man who helped make the brainiest action movie series of all time would make a film like this.

“Michael Clayton” is a smart and mature film aimed at an intelligent audience. It neither panders to the masses nor insults with pretentiousness.

Thanks to its strong performances and sharp directions, the film is engrossingly natural, instead of sensational and heavy-handed.