The Lincoln Lawyer (2011)

The Lincoln Lawyer (2011)

 6/10

Starring

Matthew McConaughey

Marisa Tomei

Ryan Phillippe

Josh Lucas

John Leguizamo

 

Directed by Brad Furman

 

The movie is based on the 2005 novel of the same name by Michael Connelly.

The idea behind The Lincoln Lawyer is that the world is full of crazies, and this film explores what happens when one of them fixates on you. From the start, the movie makes it clear that something is off. It drops subtle hints as things don’t quite add up, and then comes the bombshell: Mickey’s (Matthew McConaughey) client Louis (Ryan Phillippe) is not innocent.

Now, reading this and knowing who Mickey is might not change much at first. Mickey is a lawyer who does most of his work from his black Lincoln Town Car. His clientele ranges from the guilty to the innocent, so you’d think this would be just another case for him. But here’s the twist: Louis isn’t guilty of something like drug dealing or theft. He’s guilty of attempted sexual assault, assault with a deadly weapon, and beating a woman so severely that the pictures are horrifying.

But Louis being guilty isn’t the only problem. We soon learn that Louis specifically chose Mickey to be his lawyer for a reason. Years ago, Mickey unknowingly helped Louis get away with a similar crime by convincing the person he defended to plead guilty. Now, Louis is getting his kicks watching the system bend to his will, manipulating everything just right to get off scot-free.

The movie is fantastic to watch as it delves into the toll this takes on Mickey. Knowing he sent an innocent man to jail is eating him alive, and he’s determined to make it right by getting that man out. The problem? Mickey is bound by attorney-client privilege. Everything he’s learned while digging deeper into Louis’ guilt is protected, leaving him trapped. Things escalate when we see just how far Louis is willing to go to ensure his freedom, no matter who gets hurt along the way.

McConaughey’s performance is the driving force behind this movie, elevating it to something memorable. The Lincoln Lawyer is a courtroom thriller that doesn’t rely heavily on suspense—it lays its cards on the table early. What makes it gripping is watching how Mickey maneuvers himself out of the mess he’s in. This to me is one of the best performances McConaughey has in his CV. If you have not seen this movie yet, then please do, it is one of those movies that will always be fresh.