The firm thinks of him as a “fixer”. What he thinks of himself is a “janitor” — both positions involve cleaning up other people’s mess, don’t they. Michael Clayton (Clooney) is the niche legal eagle of a successful law firm where he specialises in fishing clients out of colossal screw ups— ranging from hit and runs to more complex affairs.

The organisation finds itself in hot water when one of its lawyers (Arthur Edens played by Wilkinson) decides to defend the party that he has been fighting, and finds incriminating evidence against his present client. As ever, “miracle worker” Clayton is expected to set things right. And his sense of ethics will have to take that familiar beating, won’t it!

The irony lies in the fact that this fixer could do with some major fixing of his own. With personal troubles plaguing him, Clayton is in as much of a pickle as those he has been playing saviour to.

The storyline is not a shining example of novelty, but keep in mind that this is screenwriter Gilroy’s directorial debut and be sure to appreciate his noteworthy manner of delivery. The film shows you scenes in bits and pieces, successfully arousing interest, then goes on to justify the events.

Erin Brockovich comes to mind in terms of the morals and ethics angle that comes into play here. But this film with seven Oscar nominations (Best Actor, Best Picture, Best Music score, Directing... among others) moves at a much quicker pace and is a lot more rivetting than that of the former.

Wilkinson makes a mark in his role of a manic depressive. Tilda Swinton is memorable too. But watch Michael Clayton for the man himself—  Clooney, his brooding looks and understated performance.