Review of "The Lincoln Lawyer," DVD

Review of

The Lincoln Lawyer, DVD


Five out of five stars

 This is a movie where the violent undertones are overwhelmed by the drama of the interaction of the characters. Matthew McConaughey plays attorney Mickey Haller, a man that represents people that are often guilty of horrendous crimes. He plays the legal game hard and has been very successful, results that have earned him the enmity of members of the law enforcement community. Much of his work is conducted in the back seat of his chauffeur-driven Lincoln car, hence the title of the movie.

 Haller is hired to defend the son of a wealthy female L. A. area realtor from charges of beating up and threatening to kill a prostitute. Shortly into the case he flags inconsistencies in the story of the defendant, and he notices many similarities between this case and one he had many years ago. In the earlier case, even though his client vehemently claimed his innocence, the best he thought he could do was get the murder charge reduced from the death penalty to life in prison with the possibility of parole.

 As the story threads wind and twist, the reader is left guessing, but it soon becomes clear that something is amiss. Even though Haller begins to doubt his role in the case, he soldiers on, providing a strong defense of his client. Despite this, he begins to construct a complementary thread of a case that will hopefully insulate him from what is clearly a potential for retribution by the evil players in the case.

 William H. Macy plays a strong supporting role as Haller’s investigator, his facial and long head of hair make him look like anything but a smart and effective investigator that knows how to play the system on the edge of legality. Bryan Cranston plays Detective Lankford, a man nearing retirement that openly expresses his disgust with Haller. Marisa Tomei plays prosecutor Maggie McPherson, Haller’s ex-wife that he fathered a daughter with. It is clear that there is still much between them and both are devoted to their daughter.

 Haller faces many obstacles in his quest to be a lawyer for a man he despises and revisit the past case to do what he can to make it right. There is a climactic scene where nearly everything is revealed, and Haller learns that there is more evil afoot than he thought. It is a great movie where the twists keep moving with uncertainty regarding the innocent and guilty.