| Release Date |
| March 18, 2011 |
| Director |
| Brad Furman |
| Screenplay |
| John Romano |
| Based On The Novel By |
| Michael Connelly |
| Distributed By |
| Lionsgate |
| Budget |
| $40 million |
| Crime, Drama, Thriller Rated R for some violence, sexual content and language 118 minutes |
| The Lincoln Lawyer |
 |
Relying completely on its cast of characters and the performances provided, “The Lincoln Lawyer” never quite reaches the level of genius but also never takes the easy or expected ways out. Matthew McConaughey takes a turn as Mickey Haller, an attorney meandering in the grey area of the law, taking back alley payments from bikers, swindling clients into giving him more money, and representing a certain stigma of person that probably shouldn’t be walking the street. He’s got friends in Frank Levin (William H. Macy), his personal investigator, Val (John Legiuzamo), his bails bonds man, and even his ex-wife, Maggie (Marisa Tomei), to a certain degree. It’s when he begins a case, representing rich boy Louis Roulet (Ryan Phillippe) that his life is turned upside down.
Besides revealing the twist mid-film, the story structure is reminiscent of most thrillers, as Mickey learns what’s going on, becomes entrapped in the situation, and lawyers his way out of it. An interesting happens when the secrets are revealed early on: the characters take on different roles and a race to tell the truth begins. This race never reaches high levels of excitement but there’s enough going on to garner one’s attention. “The Lincoln Lawyer” has it’s fair share of tense moments but for the most part the film sits on the shoulders of its actors and with this enormous ensemble cast that isn’t such a bad thing.
