THE LINCOLN LAWYER

Director: Brad Furman

Starring: Matthew McConaughey, Marisa Tomei, William H. Macey, Ryan Phillippe

THIS one sneaked under the radar, somewhat. There’s hardly been any pre-publicity apart from a TV ad but it deserves to be flagged up as a really good movie.

It’s based on a Michael McConnelly novel and has more than a touch of John Grisham about it.

McConnaughey plays defence lawyer Mick Haller who drives around in an impressive Lincoln car, conducting business in the Beverley Hills area and revealing an ability to use the system to his own ends.

However, he is faced with some dilemmas when he is asked to defend a very high profile client accused of beating up a prostitute.

In a skilfully weaved plot, all is not as it seems and Haller has some difficult decisions to make which will effect his career and life.

McConaughey played a similar role in A Time to Kill but this movie is even better.

Although the storyline is not exceptionally complicated you don’t feel like you are being spoon-fed info.

But the biggest strength is that the characters are all three dimensional. You understand what drives Haller to do the things he does and why his marriage with Maggie (Tomei) failed.

William H. Macey proves once again he is a great actor and we need to see more of him in decent roles.

All these constituent parts come together to provide nearly two hours of great drama.

So if you fancy a top class modern courtroom drama then check this one out.

four out of five stars

Steve Payne