The Lincoln Lawyer... "Not Guilty"

Let me just say my weekend was perfect as it relates to the movie world. After watching Limitless next on the list was Matthew McConaughey, The Lincoln Lawyer and let's just say I was thoroughly impressed. Based on the American novel by Micheal Connelly with the same name. If you like Fracture (with Anthony Hopkins and Ryan Gosling) then you will enjoy this one too. Murder and Manipulation and then trying to prove that the guilty is guilty, gotta love it.

This is legal drama at its best. With this film I am glad the trailer only showed only just enough to make your mouth water. When dealing with a crime thriller the less you know from the trailer, the better. Kudo needs to go to the screenwriter John Romano who had the daunting task of condensing Michael Connelly's novel into a 2-hour film. He was able to maintain the suspense of the story without losing any of the tensions and debates about the jagged edges of the justice system. There is definitely a growth in the plot as we start from the bottom and then hit the apex by the end of the movie. Now the director Brad Furman must be applauded as well for using the skills of cinematographer Lukas Ettlin to show the less "Hollywood-esque" streets of Los Angeles but at the same time show the true "heart of of the city". Along with showing us the city of LA, we get a chance to see the true picture of the what takes place in the courtroom as well as the "attorney-client" relationship.

This was an interesting role for Matthew McConaughey, although he has yet to disappoint me (even with flicks like Sahara and Edtv to name a few). And you gotta admit there's something about a high profile lawyer who conducts the majority of his business from the backseat of his Lincoln. (He could be my lawyer...lol). Playing the role of Mickey Haller we are able to witness this slick, southern drawl charming attorney whose expertise lies in negotiating plea bargains through finding loopholes that can get crucial evidence thrown out of court. McConaughey plays the role well, and gives a intriguing performance. I must say Ryan Phillippe can play the hell out of a "bad guy", it just works so naturally for him. Because he had me convinced from the beginning, but then the tides would shift. It says something when you are able to convince your audience and then within a moments notice, they now hate you...that's pretty much the main job of the antagonist. In addition there are some solid performances from William H. Macy, John Leguizamo, Michael Pena, and others  who just give even more substance to this thought-provoking film. We even get a treat of a performance from "Breaking Bad star Bryan Cranston. Now I am still not a fan of Marisa Tomei as a serious actress, but it was not like she was featured a whole lot in this movie (thank goodness).

 
Now in addition to a great plot, good characters, the music was DA BOMB!! Please believe a sista was jamming to a little bit of blues mixed with hip-hop (the original Bobby 'Blue' Bland "Ain't No Love In the Heart of the City", Erick Sermon's "Music", Erik B & Rakim feat. Marvin Gaye "Don't Sweat the Technique", and top it off with Gangstarr's "Moment of Truth").

Put it like this The Lincoln Lawyer was able to convince me that all hope is not gone for the movies this season.I just may even go get the book, since the movie didn't disappoint I would assume the book would not either.

I got three words for you that sum up this flick...Twisted, Addictive, and Manipulative. It was the perfect flick to round out my weekend.

Ratings: 4.5 out of 5 stars