In 1996 Matthew McConaughey solidified himself as a serious actor with his turn as attorney Jake Tyler Brigance in Joel Schumacher's A Time to Kill. It took him nearly fifteen years to do it again, but McConaughey seems to have finally returned to his glory in the form of Mick Haller, an LA attorney who has a crisis of conscience when his high-profile case takes a turn for the worst.
While I have always been a fan of legal thrillers, the same can't be said for McConaughey. Having taken a long stint as the lead in countless romantic comedies, I often find the A-list actor to be both egotistical and overly confident. Whether it was his own personality or that of his characters I will likely never know, but I can say that I'm not his biggest fan. All that being said though, even a self proclaimed hater can't deny his strong work in Brad Furman's The Lincoln Lawyer.
Positioned with a strong story, a slew of unforgettable characters and an ending that is sure to have you on the edge of your seat, the film far exceeded my expectations. Tackling a broad story, the film flies by at a furious pace, keeping your mind occupied and involved as you attempt to piece together the clues and solve the case before the lead hot shot attorney lands the deadly blow. No character goes unused as the corruption, deceit and lies fly at you at over 100 miles per hour. No rock goes unturned and no crime goes unpunished in this ultimate trial featuring two of the best manipulators in all of LA, each out to prove that they haven't yet met their match. The only bad thing, in every game, someone has gotta lose.
Though far from perfect, The Lincoln Lawyer is something that we haven't seen in quite some time: a fast-paced legal thriller that successfully mixes the power of money and the authority that rests in the law. Whether you're a fan of McConaughey or not, those in search of a smart film will find something to enjoy here. And for a below the radar picture, that is the biggest compliment I can give.
