Movie Review: “The Lincoln Lawyer” (+)

March 21, 2011

Although this picture is what used to be referred to as a B-movie, it is worth seeing. The Times film critic, Manohla Dargis, commented in her review that Matthew McConaughey actually acts in this picture as opposed to simply waltzing through it as the handsome lead which he has done in many prior movies.

The title of the movie has nothing to do with Abe. It refers to the Lincoln Town Car which a very sleazy lawyer, Mick Haller (Matthew McConaughey), basically uses as his office. Haller is divorced but has a good relationship with his former wife, Maggie (Marisa Tomei), who works in the district attorney’s office.

Haller represents a motorcycle gang one of whose members is in prison, I believe, for making Crystal Meth. A bondsman, Val (John Leguizamo), refers a client to Mick: Louis (Ryan Phillippe) who is charged with beating up a prostitute. Other characters include Louis’s monstrous mother, Mary (Frances Fisher), and Mick’s private investigator, Frank (William H. Macy).

The film contains clichés and unbelievable moments that should reduce its positive effect, but they don’t; provided you go to the theater expecting nothing more than seeing a frothy, forgettable, but enjoyable movie.

Henry Stern said: “The Lincoln Lawyer had nothing to do with Abraham Lincoln, and Matt McConaughey is the polar opposite of Honest Abe. He is part Roy Cohn, part Lynne Stewart, a stereotype of the bribing, manipulative mouthpiece, except that everything he does is for the greater good. The film is lively and fast paced, without long car chases, explosions, aliens or other contemporary diversions. The body count is less than a handful. The outwitted DA is right out of a Perry Mason book. The casting of the murderer is politically correct, with a touch of Joan Crawford. I recommend this film. It’s what going to the movies used to be like.