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Drama thriller

Michael Clayton (2007): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Michael Clayton (2007) movie poster

Michael Clayton is a 2007 drama thriller directed by Tony Gilroy, starring George Clooney, Tom Wilkinson and Tilda Swinton. It runs 1 hour 59 minutes and earned $93 million worldwide. It won 1 Oscar, including Actress in a Supporting Role, and 2 awards in all. Critics gave it 90% on Rotten Tomatoes and 82 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.2/10.

IMDb rating
7.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes
90%
worldwide gross
$93M
Oscar won
1
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Michael Clayton (2007) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 59m (119 min)
Director
Tony Gilroy
Genres
Drama , Mystery , Thriller , Crime
Original language
English
After the credits
Yes Extra scene during or after the credits
The story

What Is Michael Clayton About?

The premise of Michael Clayton without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

Michael Clayton is a "fixer" for a prestigious New York law firm, resolving delicate situations and protecting the firm's clients. When a lead litigator experiences a crisis while working on a major lawsuit against a powerful corporation, Clayton is sent to manage the fallout. He soon uncovers a dangerous conspiracy and is forced to question his loyalty and confront the ethical compromises he’s made throughout his career, ultimately jeopardizing his own safety and well-being.

Michael Clayton Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • business
  • lawyer
  • character name as title
  • speech rehearsal
  • fixer
  • nervous breakdown
  • class action lawsuit
  • faking a death
  • audio surveillance
  • car on fire
  • undressing
  • fake suicide
+38 more
  • breaking and entering
  • police station
  • explosion
  • murder
  • car bomb
  • exploding car
  • scene of the crime
  • female police officer
  • legal
  • legal thriller
  • villainess
  • death penalty
  • courtroom
  • mercedes benz the car
  • cigarette smoking
  • law
  • law firm
  • debt
  • attorney
  • lawsuit
  • loan shark
  • client
  • merger
  • deposition
  • night
  • dawn
  • money
  • new york
  • pesticide
  • gambler
  • bar
  • police
  • medication
  • gambling
  • fantasy novel
  • divorce
  • chemical
  • insane man
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Cast & crew

Michael Clayton Cast

George Clooney leads the cast, with Tom Wilkinson and Tilda Swinton. Directed by Tony Gilroy.

From the director

More from Tony Gilroy

More films directed by Tony Gilroy, best-rated first: Duplicity and The Bourne Legacy.

Full filmography
Ratings

Michael Clayton Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Michael Clayton 90% on Rotten Tomatoes and 82 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.2/10.

Plot

Michael Clayton Plot Summary

What happens in Michael Clayton from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Michael Clayton, played by George Clooney, is an adept “fixer” at a prestigious law firm in New York City, leveraging his network and expertise in legal loopholes to assist his clients. One fateful night, after a high-stakes underground poker game and managing a client’s hit-and-run incident, Michael finds himself driving aimlessly until he pulls over to admire some horses in a secluded field—only to have his car explode behind him in a shocking turn of events.

Full summary

The whole story of Michael Clayton, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Michael Clayton Box Office

Michael Clayton grossed $93 million worldwide. $49 million came from the US and Canada and $44 million (47%) from the rest of the world.

2007 box office

Worldwide gross

$93M

US & Canada
$49M
International
$44M
US & Canada 53% Rest of the world 47%
Awards

Michael Clayton Awards & Nominations

Michael Clayton won 1 Oscar, including Actress in a Supporting Role, and 2 awards in all. Its biggest night was the Oscars 2008, with 1 win from 7 nominations.

2 wins25 nominations7 ceremonies

Show all 7 ceremonies
Videos

Michael Clayton Trailers & Videos

2 videos: 2 trailers.

Michael Clayton (2007) Official Trailer - George Clooney, Tilda Swinton Movie HD
  • Trailer Michael Clayton (2007) Official HD Trailer [1080p]
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Michael Clayton?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What is Michael Clayton's profession?

Cars

Cars in Michael Clayton

22 cars on screen, including the 2007 Mercedes-Benz S 550 V221 and the 2005 Buick LeSabre.

All 22 cars
  • 2007 Mercedes-Benz S 550 V221 in Michael Clayton 2007 Mercedes-Benz S 550 V221 Main role
  • 2005 Buick LeSabre in Michael Clayton 2005 Buick LeSabre Important role
  • 1994 Chevrolet Caprice in Michael Clayton 1994 Chevrolet Caprice Minor role
  • 2002 Ford Crown Victoria in Michael Clayton 2002 Ford Crown Victoria Minor role
Details

Michael Clayton Also Known As

16 alternative titles, including “Conduta de Risco” and “Майкл Клейтон”.

Also known as
  • Conduta de Risco
  • Майкл Клейтон
  • Michael Clayton - Uma Questão de Consciência
  • Avukat
  • 迈克尔·克莱顿
  • Μάικλ Κλέιτον
  • מייקל קלייטון
  • 마이클 클레이튼
  • フィクサー
  • 全面反擊
  • Майкъл Клейтън
  • Maiklo Kleitono sukurta tiesa
+4 more
  • Đấu Trí
  • مایکل کلایتون
  • 敵對同謀
  • ไมเคิล เคลย์ตัน คนเหยียบยุติธรรม

Seen Michael Clayton?

FAQ

Michael Clayton FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Michael Clayton, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Michael Clayton?

Michael Clayton runs 1 hour 59 minutes (119 minutes).

When was Michael Clayton released?

Michael Clayton was released on October 5, 2007.

Who directed Michael Clayton?

Michael Clayton was directed by Tony Gilroy.

More films by Tony Gilroy

Who is in the cast of Michael Clayton?

Michael Clayton stars George Clooney, Tom Wilkinson and Tilda Swinton.

How much did Michael Clayton make at the box office?

Michael Clayton grossed $93 million worldwide ($49 million domestic, $44 million international).

How is Michael Clayton rated?

Michael Clayton has 7.2/10 on IMDb, 90% on Rotten Tomatoes, 82 on Metacritic and 68% on TMDB.

What awards did Michael Clayton win?

Michael Clayton won 2 awards from 25 nominations, including Actress in a Supporting Role at the Oscars 2008.

Does Michael Clayton have a post-credit scene?

Yes. Michael Clayton has an extra scene during or after the credits, so it is worth staying seated.

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