Michael Clayton (Blu-ray Disc)

I have championed Michael Clayton ever since it was released, through seven Oscar nominations to its Oscar win for Tilda Swinton. Considering these lavish results during award season you would think it would carry a larger group of bonus features, however this is not a film that necessarily needs any more considering the small group of deleted scenes and the fantastic commentary with writer/director Tony Gilroy and editor John Gilroy more than compliment this excellent film.

Taking onto account thatMichael Clayton earned those seven nominations you wouldn't think it would have taken all that much for Gilroy to get it off the ground, but, as he details in his commentary it took begging and pleading simply to get a meeting with eventual star George Clooney, a meeting that ended in Clooney accepting the role and Gilroy's directorial debut was ready to roll.

The film is a methodical legal thriller stemming from the breakdown of Arthur Edens (Tom Wilkinson) a top attorney at the firm Kenner, Bach & Ledeen representing agrochemical company U/North in a high stakes class action lawsuit. Suffice to say the actions of Edens put everything in jeopardy and Michael Clayton (Clooney) is put into action as he is designated the firm's "fixer", a role that will take him from behind-the-scenes directly into the line of fire.

Along with the amazing performances turned in by Clooney, Wilkinson and Swinton what I most enjoyed was the subtle tension built by Gilroy proving he is a highly capable director as well as the dialogue as it builds to an amazing climax. It's hard to believe a corporate thriller could actually be this intriguing considering, as Gilroy puts it in his commentary, a scene featuring Clooney kicking in the door serves as the "action" in the movie, but the film's tight knit storyline keeps the picture moving at a pace that never lets up.

Michael Clayton won't be the movie you put into the player when you are aching for a serious dose of action, but if you want a well made feature with twists and turns that never tire you won't be disappointed in this one.