Throwback Thursday - Lincoln Lawyer

I caught this film on TV the other day and couldn't help but watch it again. Originally, we (the Movie Geeks) had seen this film on the big screen during our Winter 2011 movie season. We took a gamble on it, and it paid off. I decided to re-watch it that lazy Sunday when it happened to come on TV and I was once again impressed with the outcome.

 

The Lincoln Lawyer
Director: Brad Furman
Starring: Matthew McConaughey, Marissa Tomei, Ryan Phillippe
Released: 2011
Box Office Gross: $57,981,889 (USA)
Throwback Review

The Lincoln Lawyer stars McConaughey, in a similar role as to the one that gave him "street cred" in 1996's A Time to Kill. McConaughey plays criminal defense attorney Mick Haller who operates in LA county out of his black Lincoln Town Car. Making a career on defending small-time criminals, Haller lands the case of his career when Louis Roulet (Phillippe), a rich playboy, is accused of the brutal beating (and attempted murder) of a prostitute.

Believing his client, Haller and his private investigator Frank Levin (William H. Macy), dig deeper into the case to find that not everything is what it seems to be.

I know what you're thinking: typical thriller/drama with McConaughey playing the charming, misunderstood title character who turns out to really possess a heart of gold. Usually, you can easily write-off this type of film by your first viewing of the teaser trailer. But you'd miss out on a very decent crime thriller.

McConaughey returns to his previous "decent actor" status with this "safe choice" role. But don't punish him for taking this safe path...it worked out in his favourite - it reminds audience why we became fans of his work in the first place.

Phillippe is good in the role of the playboy with a dark side. Not standout or memorable by no means, but not horrible. He didn't bring anything new to the role; was almost a mash up of some of his previous work (think I Know What You Did Last Summer meets Cruel Intentions).

Macy is his usual brilliant self. Not much to say about his role other than it was great.

Final Verdict: See it. Take this film for what it is - don't go into it expecting to see breakout acting or a stellar storyline. It's engaging. It's charming. It's bottom line: entertaining.