• After decades as a writer (bourne) it’s an extremely impressive debut feature from Tony Gilroy and his strongest screenplay as well
  • Many critics note the verdict with Newman as a comparable film or some of the Pollock or Lumet films of the 1970’s—it certainly has that edge and vibe
  • The 4 leads are wonderful— Wilkinson, Clooney, Swinton and even Pollock (yep— well cast and an homage as well) as Marty Bach is very deserving of praise. He’s the least of the four here but like eyes wide shut Pollock is just so damn good at playing a man of power
  • The opening monologue, from the writing to the voice-over acting by Wikinson to the montage of the law office is incredibly strong
  • Love the moment of clarity horse/bomb sequence and its position in the film as the flashback. Great narrative structuring
  • The film works narratively so powerfully because Clooney’s Clayton is going through the same disillusionment that Wilkinson is
  • Wilkinson’s Arthur certainly owes a debt to the Peter Finch and Lumet creation in Network
  • The film works so well as a thriller- not just a legal or issue film (like Gilroy’s expertise with the Bourne films)—it’s a pressure cooker- Clayton has a week to pay the mob and a week to find Arthur for the money from Pollock
  • The dialogue cuts glass—evocative and intelligent
  • They’re able to borrow and work off of Clooney’s gambling with his work as Danny Ocean in the Ocean’s films
  • Despite the Oscar win it’s not Swinton’s best performance (probably Orlando)
  • Gilroy doesn’t have the talents behind the camera of some of the better directors that have directed his work (even if this is his best screenplay)—Ultimatum has an ending just as good and Greengrass’ aesthetic choices visually
  • The climax finale is pitch perfect- “I’m not the guy you kill” speech and the angry walk off and drive away from Clooney. Brilliance and love the score as he walks away
  • Highly Recommend- top 10ish of the year qualify film