Economic life is supposed to be challenging in terms of survival within the business world. As for competition that contradicts ethical norms, it is doomed to produce madmen gripped by pangs of conscience. This is also true of real life, therefore the story of moral insanity, which is based on the conflict between business and morality, looks very plausible. It serves as a beautiful example of bringing reality into the realm of fiction. The film’s intrigue primarily lies in the main character’s ethical choices. However, it is created not only through the plot but also due to various technical, musical, and other means.
A state of unease appears in the audience when they delve into the film’s plot; accordingly, it is necessary to outline its main points briefly. During the conclusion of a settlement between the giant chemical company U-North and the town’s residents affected by its activities, the defendant’s representative, lawyer Arthur Edens, suddenly goes over to the plaintiffs’ side. To smooth over the scandal, Arthur’s colleague Michael Clayton is assigned to unearth unflattering evidence of numerous group violations. Now he has to make a hard choice between his career and his conscience.
Intrigue is created through the skillful use of music, plot, camerawork, and directorial talent. Tony Gilroy deftly builds up the tension over the course of two hours, using all available means to their fullest potential. He masterfully introduces new characters, changes scenes at great speed, and appropriately adds Howard Shore-written music. The technical part of the film intensifies the tension in a way that is even better than Lumet’s Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead. He does all this without a single gunshot scene, screaming, or any kind of horror. Cameraman Robert Elswit only assists in this endeavor by creating dystopian spaces out of office buildings. They give the viewer the impression of clinics for the mentally ill.
Forensic dramas are very common in American cinema, dealing with global conspiracies by major corporations to make as much profit as possible. However, that is not the central theme in this film, which is the directorial debut for experienced screenwriter Tony Gilroy, who was involved in the creation of the original Bourne trilogy. The movie is unhurried but quite capable of enthralling, which is very surprising considering the specific subject matter and the general tone of the narration. The motion picture moves very slowly and can immerse viewers in the movie’s dystopian style deliberately chosen for such a twisting story denouncing the imperfection of big corporations. To achieve their goals, people in business can even use the most extreme measures, as long as nothing interferes with their plans. This quest for profit and ruthlessness is best portrayed in the film.
The Michael Clayton film is most intriguing precisely because of the fascinating, and at the same time oppressive, detective story that forms the basis of the plot. The director attracted the audience’s attention by abandoning epic chases, action scenes, and gunfights. The tense atmosphere comes from the fact that the film is as close to reality as cinematography permits. In Michael Clayton, the cynicism of the world blurs the line between morality and lust for consumption, and personal enrichment is seen as the main priority of life. In addition to the story, viewers are also captivated by the music used in the film, the camerawork, and the film’s dark style.