The Lincoln Lawyer

Matthew McConaughey is back as a slick, fast-talking, honey-voiced officer of the court in The Lincoln Lawyer. This is the persona that made him a star, although this time around his lawyer is a bit of a player. Since the majority of his clients are guilty he has no problem taking advantage of them financially, but he draws the line legally. What lets him sleep at night, representing the underbelly of society, is his belief in the justice system. If the law is doing their job, his clients will get the best possible defense, but if they are convicted, it is because they are guilty and all the rules were followed. When Mick Haller represents you and the cops or the D.A. makes a mistake, Mick Haller will find it and set you free. It’s all about the law.

Losing his driver’s license due to a D.U.I. Mick Haller has been doing business out of the back seat of a classic Lincoln Continental. He, and his discreet driver (Laurence Mason) make quite a sight when they pull up to take meetings with their less than upstanding clients. This arrangement has become so advantageous for Mick that he’s really starting to like it. He has become a multi-tasker and with the help of his private investigator (William H. Macy) he can cover a lot of territory while he rides in style.

Our story starts when an associate of Mick’s, bail-bondsman Val Valenzuela (John Leguizamo) tips off Mick to a big money client. Val is hoping for a kickback and the chance to post the lucrative bond. Mick meets the client, gets him bail and agrees to take the case, much against the advice of his prosecuting lawyer ex-wife (Marisa Tomei). The client is a rich, Beverly Hills pretty boy (Ryan Phillippe) who works for his mom’s real estate business. Frances Fisher plays his mother and she turns out to be rich and very connected.

Mick has already done wonders with the case, getting him bail on a violent crime was actually impressive, but he’s a little unsure why the family’s lawyer is not handling the case. Mick knows how good he is, but his clients are not usually the rich and famous. These questions begin to nag at him and the more he discovers, the more questions are raised. Mick is beginning to think that his client is really guilty.

Since innocence has never been a prerequisite for Mick he continues with the case, but his entire belief system is being put to the test. Ryan Phillippe gets the chance to play a real sociopath here and as the truth becomes known, Mick finds himself trapped by the very law he has sworn to uphold. The question is, who is smarter, a sick game playing murderer, or a manipulative, street-smart lawyer? This is a character that could spawn a franchise; the question is will this case change his ways and will he continue to be the Lincoln lawyer?

Rating: First Run Matthew McConaughey is back as a slick, fast-talking, honey-voiced lawyer.