Michael Clayton

Michael Clayton follows a weary law firm fixer who is drawn into a dangerous crisis after a senior counsel collapses under pressure during a high stakes class action against a powerful chemical company. The firm leans on Clayton to smooth over internal chaos, protect the client, and keep the case from collapsing. As he digs into the personal and professional fallout, he discovers a web of corporate intrigue that goes far beyond a single courtroom battle. With time running out, he must decide how far he's willing to go to keep the truth from wrecking lives and the firm alike. The film keeps a tight pace and sharp dialogue. The film's measured tone invites attention to quiet choices shaping outcomes.

Directed by Tony Gilroy, Michael Clayton is built around an original screenplay. The 2007 thriller uses a tight corporate world to explore ethics under pressure, with a compact ensemble led by George Clooney; it also marks Gilroy's feature directing debut.

Michael Clayton grossed 92,991,835 worldwide on a 25 million budget, a return that benefited from strong word of mouth, critical praise, steady awards season visibility, and long legs at the box office, helping it sustain after opening weekend, for awhile.

Tilda Swinton earned the film its Oscar glory, winning Best Supporting Actress for her sharp, morally opaque performance. The movie was praised for its direction and screenplay, earning nominations and strong critical receipts that solidified its standing as a smart adult thriller. Its impact lingers in conversations about corporate accountability.

Critics praised the film for its tightly wound plotting, moral ambiguity, and Clooney's restrained central performance. The story weighs corporate power against personal integrity and questions whether fixing a problem is the same as solving a wrongdoing. The tone blends legal drama with a noir like mood and still lingers.