Starring: George Clooney, Tom Wilkinson, Tilda Swinton
Director: Tony Gilroy
Country: USA
Genre: Thriller

Best Supporting Actress  - Academy Awards

The ‘thriller’ genre has gone through a transformation over the last twenty or so years into something rather generic and cheap. But Michael Clayton stands alone in its recalling the days when thrillers were about psychological threats in addition to the physical threats. Clayton beckons an era where thrillers weren’t as flamboyant, and the most unnerving aspect is that they could be happening in reality. Acclaimed screenwriter Tony Gilroy puts in one hell of a directorial debut matching his visual skills with his writing chops. His camera work is patient and deliberate allowing for the complex story and immaculate script to speak for itself. And perhaps the quintessential facet of the film is its inspired casting. Clooney carries the film with his distinguished coolness, Tilda Swinton perfectly toes the line between confidence and fragility, and Tom Wilkinson puts in the most astonishing performance of his career – one that reaches Shakespearian heights with it’s depth and sincerity. While Clayton might not be bringing anything new to the table, it stands as one of the best examples of filmmaking craftsmanship in the last decade.