Wilda Swinton Film Analysis

The film Michael Clayton stars Tom Wilkinson as Arthur Edens, Sydney Pollack as Marty Bach, Tilda Swinton as Karen Crowder, and George Clooney as Michael Clayton. Tony Gilroy was both the screenwriter and director of this film. The genre of this film is crime, drama, and mystery. Tilda Swinton had won the best actress in a supporting role, while the film was nominated for best motion picture of the year, best actor in a leading role, best actor in a supporting role, best achievement in directing, best writing, and best achievement in music. All aspects of this movie were given recognition for how well it was all put together, including the plot, editing, and acting.

The film begins in present time, where Michael has his vehicle explode while

The movie then shifts four days in the past, which is the plot of the movie. Protagonist Michael Clayton being $75,000 in debt from a restaurant investment he had partaken in with his brother, Timmy. Timmy had been taking the funds of the restaurant to fuel his drug habit, which is the reason that Michael is in such debt. In need of money, Michael goes to a loan shark to raise money, but only has one week to come up with the money. The next scene transitions over to Arthur Edens. Arthur is an attorney working with a lawsuit against U-North. You are the senior litigating partner of one of the largest, most respected law firms in the world. You are a legend… “I'm an accomplice!”... “You're a manic-depressive!”... “I am Shiva, the god of death.” This quote was between Arthur and Michael. Michael is telling Arthur how good of a lawyer he is and how he’s a legend. Karen Crowder, the legal officer of U-North, had found out that Arthur had confidential documents about harmful activity involving this agricultural company. They wanted to create a weed killer that could be sold in stores throughout the US, but it was known to cause cancer. This leads Karen towards the CEO of U-North. He

The film uses this scene to show present time, as the majority of the movie is a flashback up until present time. The cinematographer of Michael Clayton is named Robert Elswit. In the beginning of the film, there’s a pan shot that shows the empty offices with a voice-over of a man rambling. The camera then leads into a busy room with the overhead phrase that says “The Time is Now”. This brings everything into the present. The cinematography creates a suspenseful genre that is created through the editing, lighting, and sounds. The score of this film is by James Newton Howard. His music is composed with a mellow and suspicious tone. The costumes and makeup are very ordinary, as Michael is seen in a suit and tie in the majority of the movie.

The acting in this film is extraordinary. The actors and actresses have been nominated and won several awards from the movie. Tom Wilkinson played his role of Arthur Edens perfectly and should have won his nomination of best supporting actor. He’s able to portray his psychotic character at times, but is also able to give off the sense that he’s a legendary lawyer. George Clooney has continued his great acting performances in this film. He reminds me of Jason Bourne in a way, as he solves problems and acts similar to