Review of film: “THE LINCOLN LAWYER”

2011, 03-14:   

Review of film:  “THE LINCOLN LAWYER”

           Is it the Car or the LAWYER who’s really the “HOT ROD”?!...

In 1955, a hit song came out about a “Hot Rod Lincoln”.  It referred to a car “souped-up” for racing purposes.  In this movie, the car (rather than the lawyer) IS a Lincoln--  but it’s the STORY & not the auto that’s “enhanced” in performance…

…  The lawyer is Mick Haller (MATTHEW McCONAUGHEY), & he operates out of a Lincoln Town Car rather than an office.  Usually, he’s driven by a street-wise black guy named Earl (LAURENCE MASON)…

…  Matt seems to specialize in representing “LOW-life” criminals, &, while the car is black, his favorite color is green--  as in getting his MONEY up-front before he does any work for the accused…

…  As he’s about to go into court to represent someone, a bail-bondsman contact, Val Valenzuela (JOHN LEGUIZAMO), clues him in to a possible high-paying new client.  That guy is Louis Roulet (RYAN PHILIPPE), who’s been accused of beating and an attempted rape of a woman…

…  Ryan is the son of a very rich real estate agent named Mary Windsor (FRANCES FISHER), & he is very adamant in protesting his innocence. In talking to him, Matt brings along his old friend Frank Levin (WILLIAM H. MACY), his longtime investigator…

…  Initially, Ryan appears to BE innocent, since many of the Police Dept’s “facts” (such as a knife recovered) appeared to exonerate him in the case.  Further, the more Matt delves into the facts, the more he discovers “disconcerting” things-- like how the woman charging Ryan has a history of involvement in prostitution, & there’s the possibility she was trying for a large cash payout from his family…

…  As the story evolves, we learn that Matt’s father had also been a lawyer, but that Matt is an “operator”:  Matt has a bunch of “SLIPPERY” ways about him, in that he sets-up things like false incidents to cause Ryan’s family lawyer to pay him MORE MONEY, & does other “shady” things in how he operates…

…  Matt is good at working (taking advantage of) his “ins” around the area.  One of those is Prosecuter Maggie McPherson (MARISA TOMEI).  It turns out, he’d had a DAUGHTER with her in the past, & he’s actively involved in helping co-parent the child (who lives with Marisa).  He regularly goes to her (& others he knows) to try to get some “private” / advance information about cases…

…  Bit-by-bit, we learn that Matt had a history of seeking “EASY” ways of handling litigation--  such as trying for “plea bargains” & the like to get thru them.  For example, rather than looking for facts to prove the innocence of client Jesus Martinez (MICHAEL PENA), he mainly sought out a reduced term that sent Michael to San Quentin prison…

…  But, the more Matt & William investigate Ryan’s case, the worse Ryan looks.  Despite Ryan’s initial protestations, he might have been involved in one or more PREVIOUS attacks.  And, since Ryan is “protected” by “attorney-client privilege” (which keeps facts & communication between them “private”), that “limits” what Matt can do & how he does it…

…  Matt is involved in other cases as he’s handling Ryan’s matter, & we learn some important particulars from how he manages those.  There are some elements that seem to “impact” on RYAN’S case…

…  The Police (in the form of Detective Lankford, played by BRYAN CRANSTON) start to question Matt regarding a matter involving William, &, more & more, we start to feel that Matt is possibly being “PLAYED” by Ryan in his case…

…  Things start to “twist & turn” like crazy, with all kinds of “uncomfortable” essentials starting to THREATEN Matt & people he cares for…  Things that seemed to be “clear” start becoming “murky” at best, & past MURDER cases start to impact everything that’s going on with Ryan & Matt…

…  Was Ryan telling the truth that he’d been unfairly charged in his case?...  When Matt finds out some “DISCONCERTING” facts, will be still be able (or willing) to properly REPRESENT Ryan?...  Will possible charges against actions by Matt impact what he’s able to do?...

…  Can Matt live with “himself” if he’s trying to defend someone he feels is really GUILTY of charges?...  Will Matt’s family be at risk from his efforts to defend certain people charged with crimes?...  Can Matt find a way to do what’s “RIGHT” in a world of “wrongs”?!... 

…  Matt has had a history of playing “surfer” type characters & making POOR movies.  This film is NOT the Matt you’re “used” to:  he keeps his shirts ON, & provides a really effective dramatic presence--  by far the BEST character & performance he’s ever had…

…  The other actors are also very SUCCESSFUL & believable in their roles.  There are loads of satisfying “TWISTS” in the story, where Matt has to “shift gears” in what he’s doing & find a “NEW” way to achieve what he wants to accomplish under the “guidelines” of the legal “system”…

…  I quite liked the “nitty gritty” way the crime thriller was concocted & played-out--  to the point that I hoped there’d be some “SEQUELS” considered for Matt’s character…

…  Thus, tho it may be hard to “comprehend”, this McConaughey film is being given an enthusiastic 8.25 out of 10 stars…

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