LINCOLN LAWYER by Tallbrey

I, like Cochese, am a rookie-noob when it comes to blogging. It is an understatement that I LOVE movies. I would rather go to the theatre than almost anywhere else. There is something magical about sitting on that front row of the stadium section, in the "most middled" comfy chair, with a rail in front of me. (so I can kick up my ginormous feet and relax) I unload my smuggled goodies, as there is no way I will ever pay for full-price concessions. Cue the previews, and it's time for 2-3 hours of undisturbed ignoring of the outside world, frustrations, worries, or anything else.


On to my review of LINCOLN LAWYER-
Niche actors tend to drive me bonkers. Certain thespians have painted themselves into one specific corner role that they reprise repeatedly, to the chagrin of movie-goers with a brain. Matthew McConaughey, in recent years, has led the charge into shirtless battle. Few actors create such a polar response from me. The ladies love him, but typically, I believe their love is wrapped up in his washboard abs and Texan drawl, and much less with his talent. I have a theory that if Brad Pitt were NOT so good looking, he would have at least two Oscars over his fireplace. (Legends of the Fall, Benjamin Button, SE7EN, 12 Monkeys- Pick any two for the win) The converse of this theory- If Mattie McConaughey wasn't such a looker, the average theatre attendee wouldn't think much of his ability.


Test me on this- His career has had a few smashing moments of acting brilliance. Among them, A Time To Kill, Amistad, U-571, and I will even throw in How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days. However, McConaughey has peppered his career with (and I'm not going to bring up or blame him for anything he was in prior to A Time to Kill, as this film arguably got him B+ status. I refuse to give him A status) Contact, EdTV, Wedding Planner, Reign of Fire, Sahara, Failure to Launch, Fool's Gold, Surfer Dude, Ghosts of Girlfriends Past, and Two For the Money. Now, of the above mentioned romantic-"comedies," maybe one or two of them would stand alone as borderline enjoyment. However, he plays the same character. I think that in each "comantic" movie he's made, they should have just given him the same character name, like they are all sequels of each other.


LINCOLN LAWYER poked a hole in my theory. I'm man enough to admit it. Matthew McConaughey, I'd like to formally apologize to you. I thoroughly enjoyed your most recent film, despite my predictions walking in. 
He was fantastic. McConaughey plays Mick Haller, Defense Attorney to the obviously guilty. He specializes in finding the loopholes in the American Justice System to gain freedom or reduced sentences for scumbags. He is haughty, self-important, and arguably a semi-functional alcoholic. This is the first movie in recent memory in which Matthew did not play the pretty-boy all the way through. His performance was gritty, authentic, and altogether believable.


***No SPOILERS- The storyline focuses around one central case. A high profile trust-fund social elitist, Louis Roulet, (Ryan Phillippe) is arrested for allegedly attacking and raping a high-end call girl. McConaughey works from his mobile law office, in the back seat of his Lincoln, as he has lost his license for unknown reasons.


The supporting cast was great. Marisa Tomei plays Maggie McPherson, the Prosecuting Attorney in the case, who coincidentally is Haller's ex-wife and mother of his daughter. William H. Macy plays Frank Levin, an ex-cop who is currently a Private Investigator for Haller. John Leguizamo plays the fast-talking Bail Bondsman, and is significantly underrated. I find that he is almost always fantastic. Bryan Cranston, Trace Adkins, Laurence Mason, and Josh Lucas all play small roles, but are pivotal to the film.


My only caveat for this film... Mick Haller is terrified of the idea that he would ever let an innocent man go to prison. It is a huge underlying theme of the movie. He sees the importance of seeking true justice in  freeing a wrongfully convicted client. He wrestles with a huge moral dilemma.
However, ***Borderline spoiler*** After the outcome of the big case, he goes back to being the same seedy lawyer, seeking to get the highest bidders out of trouble. Instead of rethinking who he represents as his change of moral grounds, he decides to represent a scumbag pro-bono as the big change of heart. 


Overall, I give LINCOLN LAWYER a solid A-.


***Disagree with me? Totally agree? Think I'm an idiot? That's awesome. We want to hear from you.
Tallbrey