I went to see Michael Clayton, mainly because it is an Oscar nominated film. I was bored for the first hour and almost fell asleep. The last hour was good but not enough to make it Oscar worthy. George Clooney is one of my favorite actors, but this didn't work for me.
Too much meandering dialogue and a lack of focus make it hard to concentrate on. His earlier best films grab you from the start. I rate this a B-.
The clues about the woman lawyer being the protagonist are not too hard to figure out. Motive is harder to follow as the scenes whip you around in a backward playback of four days earlier. Sorry waste of a Mercedes Benz being blown up for events you end not caring about.
The director does not clarify whether George Clooney is a victim or just lazy. His propensity to gamble is a crutch and he proves to be his own worst enemy.
The hit men for the other law firm are very menacing, but prove very amateurish. How the rules of the local Bar Association are circumvented is not made clear. Lawyers work under much stricter environment than the movie portrays.

Recommended:
No

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Good for a Rainy Day
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older