I was so surprised that reliable sources of mine were recommending a Matthew McConaughey film, I had to see it for myself. Could the rumors be true? Could McConaughey actually be starring in a good film once again?
Putting faith in those I trust, I convinced my cinema buddy to come to the last showing of The Lincoln Lawyer at Cineworld before the influx of new films came out on Friday. It was a late showing, something I don't usually go in for on a school night, but I had to know if it was any good. A happy surprise came when we bumped into two friends, who happened to be seeing the same film, whilst we were purchasing our tickets.
We took our seats and were drawn into the story of lawyer Mick Haller (McConaughey), who essentially uses a Lincoln car (hence the title) as his office. His most recent case sees him defending rich kid Louis Roulet (Ryan Phillippe), who's been arrested for assaulting a prostitute. Roulet insists he's innocent and being set up so that the prostitute can get her hands on his fortune. Whilst trying to prove Roulet's innocence Mick stumbles upon some evidence which may clear one of his previous clients, Jesus Martinez (Michael Peña), who's currently doing time for a crime it seems he may not have committed.
I was relieved to say that I agreed with the people who recommended The Lincoln Lawyer (I don't have to disown them!) as I really quite enjoyed it. The film moves at a steady pace and has enough twists and turns to stop the boredom normally induced by courtroom dramas.
McConoughey hasn't done a film this good, or in which he is this good, for a long time. As far as serious films go, I'd say it was probably A Time To Kill (his big break movie with Sandra Bullock) when he was last as good as this. Worryingly he also played a lawyer in that movie. Maybe that speaks volumes about the career path he should have taken instead of being an actor, as he seems most at home playing this kind of character? Or maybe it just says that he should take more serious roles and stop making the dreadful rom-coms which have littered his filmography for the last 10 years. He's not a bad actor, as he proves here, he's just made bad choices.
But the film is not only about McConaughey. Here he is sharing the screen with an equally good cast. I'm talking about the ever watchable Marisa Tomei, the excellent William H. Macy and the surprisingly good Ryan Phillippe, alongside supporting roles filled by Josh Lucas, John Leguizamo, Michael Peña and Francis Fisher. An all round excellent cast. So maybe McConaughey is only as good as the fellow actors who populate his films? Whatever it is, it works here.
A gripping courtroom drama that showcases the talents of some of Hollywood's finest. 8 out of 10.
Viewing Date - 31st March 2011
UK Release Date - 18th March 2011
Cast Overview:
Matthew McConaughey ~ Mick Haller
Marisa Tomei ~ Maggie McPherson
Ryan Phillippe ~ Louis Roulet
William H. Macy ~ Frank Levin
Josh Lucas ~ Ted Minton
John Leguizamo ~ Val Valenzuela
Michael Peña ~ Jesus Martinez
Bob Gunton ~ Cecil Dobbs
Francis Fisher ~ Mary Windsor
Director ~ Brad Furman
Writer(s) ~ John Romano (Screenplay) and Michael Connelly (Novel)
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