This movie is based on a book by Michael Connelly, I haven't read anything by him, but it had the feel of something by John Grisham, who I am a huge fan of. When I feel like reading something light, I don't head for Danielle Steele or a romance, Grisham is my easy-reading standby. So even though going into this movie I didn't really know what it was about, I got right into it, because I love those legal-drama type movies. McConaughey still has that smooth Southern charm, and we know Philippe can do creepy well, but the last movie I saw him in (MacGruber) he shoved a piece of celery up his ass, so the contrast made me giggle a bit. I like that McConaughey and Tomei were the main love-interest, they are both showing their age and I can appreciate Hollywood movies that go with quality over youth.
This is a good story with a great cast. In addition to those already mentioned, there are roles for Josh Lucas, William H. Macy, Trace Adkins, and John Leguizamo. It is well acted and the plot is interesting. Most of the stuff you can see coming a mile away but you like where it is going anyway.
Like some movies that are based on books fall victim to, it feels like this movie was overwhelmed with the material and had issues fitting in all the plot twists. It doesn't develop some parts, it feels a little disjointed and like something is missing to make it complete. The twist at the end doesn't really serve any purpose except a joke at the hands of a biker gang. I don't want to ruin it for anyone, but they don't explore how the mother knew what she knew, or why she did what she did. They don't follow through with the relationship with Mick and Maggie, and the movie is named The Lincoln Lawyer, because he works out of his Lincoln car, but it never really felt like that fact was very important.
Probably if I didn't have this blog, I wouldn't over-think this movie, and just think it was really good. But as it is, it just feels like this movie needed more, a more flowing plot I guess. While McConaughey wasn't as good in this movie as Grisham's A Time to Kill, if you like Grisham-type stuff, you will enjoy The Lincoln Lawyer.
highly recommend Connelly as an author to read, start at the beginning of his series.
ReplyDeleteI never like movies I've seen after reading the book. Just renting The Lovely Bones after reading it again and it just doesn't measure up.
I've been shut out of commenting on your blog, will try this again