Film-o-Rama Review by August Meyer
Walking into a movie with virtually no expectations at all has it’s upsides, and it’s downsides. One of the upsides is movies like The Lincoln Lawyer. At first thought, the notion that Matthew McConaughey is actually in a decent movie this time around sounds absolutely absurd. But believe it. McConaughey gives such a powerful and surprising performance, that it just about redeems him for some of his past transgressions (i.e. Ghosts of Girlfriends Past and Fool’s Gold).
The Lincoln Lawyer kicks off with Mick Haller, a slick, hotshot lawyer keeping the dregs of society out of prison and on the streets, where he convinces juries they belong…for the right price. Maggie McPherson, played by the always fantastic Marisa Tomei, is his prosecutor ex, who is the single mother to their young daughter. Enter Louis Roulet, the spoiled rich boy accused of brutal assault who asks specifically for Haller to represent him, given his subjectively stellar track record with cases like his. At first this is all fun and games for Mick, who sees this as just another case, but one thing leads to another, and his life is consumed with lies, deceit, betrayal, and murder.
Although McConaughey delivers a commanding performance, it is the supporting cast that really makes the movie. Marisa Tomei brings a performance with comparable gusto and sensuality to her role in The Wrestler. William H. Macy and John Leguizamo also appear in small, yet satisfying roles that add a little extra oomph to this powerhouse of a movie.
The Lincoln Lawyer is in no way in the running for an Academy Award, but it does pack enough smarts and class to have movie-goers come out satisfied and itching for more. This film is a welcome reminder that not all movies have to sell their souls to fill theater seats. Fast Five on the other hand…
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