Michael Clayton released today, here’s what reviews from all over the world have for us…

…But at the same time, it’s such a skilled job of directing and writing that the pages and pages of technical talk and lists of names and numbers all sound like actual dialogue rather than exposition. George Clooney stars as an in-house “fixer” for a big law firm; he does everything for his clients except go to trial…

Jeffrey M. Anderson Combustible Celluloid

…As a point of historical accuracy, it should be noted that the film really doesn’t follow through on this ambition, since those great post-Watergate thrillers usually did not end with the hero slaying the dragon and everything being neatly resolved….

William Arnold Seattle Pi

…The film’s best scenes are not between Clayton and his father or brother, but between him and Arthur, the senior litigating partner and lead defense architect for the U/North case. This may be a combined result of the writing and superlative of Tom Wilkinson, who can do not wrong in any part he plays (remember “In the Bedroom”?) Is Arthur paranoid or just mad, self-righteous or delusional? Probably all of the above….

Emanuel Levy emanuellevy.com

…But it’s not just her movie; Gilroy’s cast does fine work all around. Wilkinson is wonderfully unhinged as a lawyer gone off the rails as he realizes the possible damage done by the company he’s defending — “I have blood on my hands! I am Sheba, the god of death!” he blusters, all King Lear-ish in the wind. Sydney Pollack, as Michael’s boss, is wryly funny. And Clooney, that most effortless of movie stars, gives a smart and perfectly pitched performance as the center around which the others swirl. This is Gilroy’s first film as director; I can’t wait to see what he’s got next…

Moira Macdonald Seattle Times

…“Michael Clayton,” a sharply written, twisty legal thriller and the auspicious directing debut of Tony Gilroy (who wrote all three “Bourne” pictures), definitely falls into this category…

Lou Lumenick NY Post

…Clooney looks as if he stepped into the role from the cover of GQ. It’s the right look. Conservative suit, tasteful tie, clean shaven, every hair in place (except when things are going wrong, which is often). Drives a leased Mercedes. Divorced, drives his son to school, has him on Saturdays. Has a hidden side to his life. Looks prosperous, but lost his shirt on a failed restaurant and needs $75,000 or bad things might happen. Would certainly have $75,000 if he didn’t frequent a high-stakes poker game in a back room in Chinatown. Not much of a personal life….

Roger Ebert RogerEbert.com

…When critics complain about the dumbing down of movies into franchise popcorn, what we’re really doing is yearning for a terrifically engrossing, tethered-to-the-real-world drama like Michael Clayton. It’s better than good; it’s such a crackling and mature and accomplished movie that it just about restores your faith…..

Owen Gleiberman EW

It’s wiser to book tickets for Michael Clayton…