California Soul: Review of the Lincoln Lawyer

Pelican Beach Productions owner and local promotional film producer, Jonathan Spencer, gives his review on the film "The Lincoln Lawyer."

I knew I should have become a lawyer.

This past weekend, March 19, I combed carefully over the selections at the local multi-plex. I was trying to decide between watching Battle LA, a happy-go-lucky drug that turns your brain into a super computer or a law case that I had very little background information on. I decided I would attempt to feed my intellectual appetite and go with The Lincoln Lawyer. 

Now, many of my friends are lawyers and believe me, this movie did not emulate any of their jobs; I was thankful for that. Unlike the miserable job description that my friends describe to me, I actually do regret not attending law school after watching this movie!

The only fair way to start this review is with a quote from Marlena Shaw's "California Soul," the unofficial theme song for The Lincoln Lawyer. 

"It's all in the air . You hear it everywhere . No matter what you do , it's going to grab a hold on you."

That quote describes to a tee exactly what this movie does. It grabs a hold of you from the first scene and doesn’t let go until it ends. What a great ride it is!

With a cast to boast about, The Lincoln Lawyer stars Matthew McConaughey as Mick Haller, a Los Angeles criminal defense attorney that operates his business out of the back seat of his, you guessed it, Lincoln Continental. Haller is divorced from his District Attorney ex-wife Maggie McPherson, played by the lovely Marisa Tomei. Haller and McPherson have electric on-screen chemistry and are connected by the daughter they share join custody with.

As the movie opens, you learn that Haller has just unexpectedly landed what appears to be the case of a lifetime, defending the uber rich Beverly Hills playboy Louis Roulet (played by Ryan Phillippe).

To be honest, I have never been a huge fan of Phillippe. His roles in the past have always left me wanting more and ultimately classifying him as just another one Hollywood’s pretty face. However, Phillippe really delivers in this role, playing the discriminated rich kid.

The case, attempted murder with a deadly weapon, should have been a straightforward payday for Haller. However, the case quickly turns into a deadly chess-match executed to perfection by two masters of manipulation, Haller and Roulet. Toss in some great small supporting performances by Josh Lucas as the District Attorney on the Roulet case, and William H. Macy as Haller’s personal private investigator and you have the makings of a sophisticated and intelligent thriller.

What I enjoyed most was the fact that this was not your typical courtroom drama. The Lincoln Lawyer does something I personally have not seen in a courtroom movie.  Half way into the film, it answers the biggest question of all, "Is Louis Roulet guilty or not?" Now, this information does not come out in the courtroom setting, but knowing this, is where the thriller aspect of this film really kicks in.

I can’t believe I have made it this far without really talking about Matthew McConaughey! McConaughy is the Lincoln lawyer and main reason why this movie was so good. His "cool guys-guy attitude" mixed with an intelligence of a polished professional make for another enjoyable character to watch.

Personally, I am a fan of McConaughy. I enjoy his acting and find that he has great range. In The Lincoln Lawyer, he plays the part of a trained street-smart lawyer who’s superior knowledge, whit, and charm, allow him to navigate the turmoil that this murder case has brought and ultimately allow him to protect the people he cares most about.

In short, the Lincoln Lawyer is great and well worth a trip to your local multi-plex. The time flies by and you watch in thrilled anticipation of the final climax.

As Haller likes to say, “I checked the list of people I trust and your name ain’t on it."

In this case, I hope my name is!

Movie: A-

Soundtrack: B+