THE LINCOLN LAWYER – The Review

Compelling, Witty, Sophisticated… THE LINCOLN LAWYER is an intriguing novel-to-film tale. (The novel, THE LINCOLN LAWYER, was written by New York Times Best Selling Author Michael Connelly.)

Ok, so maybe his clients aren’t always innocent… but Mick Haller (Matthew McConaughey) earns his money as a defense attorney by keeping them out of prison. Coasting along in the back of his Lincoln (a beauty of a car), Mick travels from client to client, using his charm and wit to keep his clients from paying for their mistakes… That is, until Louis Roulet (Ryan Phillippe), a sweet as apple pie, charming rich kid hires him to take on his case. Louis is charged with battery, rape, and attempted murder of a prostitute, to which he swears his innocence in regards to all charges. What seemed to be an easy, jackpot of a case takes a sudden turn when evidence starts to surface, and now Mick must weed through all of the manipulation and fairytale lies to get to the truth.

This film was fantastic! I have to be honest… I was not looking forward to seeing it. It’s not that I was dreading it, but it didn’t exactly jump out at me. I am (wo)man enough to admit that I was wrong. The book must have been one heck of a page-turner, because this film kept me involved from start to finish. Everything, from the story, the set up of certain scenes, the performances… all superb!

McConaughey played the part of a fast talking, suave, but still cocky, attorney with ease. He has an amazing presence on screen that is hard not to be drawn into. Fun Fact: He once contemplated law school before becoming an actor. His interaction between co-stars Marisa Tomei (who plays Maggie McPherson, the mother of his child), William H. Macy (who plays Frank Levin, Micks private investigator cohort), and of course Ryan Phillippe. The casting was very well done, because everyone really fit into their roles nicely. Tomei and Macy don’t get as much screen time as I would have liked, but the story still stood well on it’s own.

Phillippe’s had the night-and-day, good-and-evil sides of his character down to a tee! Sure, he has played roles on either side before, but to see him switch between them was mind blowing! The reenactments, in particular, of his alleged crimes are both impressive (in reference to his acting) and disturbing. They are violent, but not in a gory, over the top way. The style which they are shot is not of the typical, foggy dream sequence. Instead, it is a little more stylized, and I really think it pays off in the end.

If you like court room thrillers, or just want something good to see this weekend, I highly recommend THE LINCOLN LAWYER. (Ok, fine… I’ll say what you are thinking. There is one added bonus… The aesthetics aren’t too shabby either. Between McConaughey and Phillippe, you are about to be engulfed in one heck of a “handsome sandwich“! And yes, that is another phrase pulled from the Melissa Dictionary Of Campy Nonsense!)

OVERALL RATING: 4.25 out of 5 stars