A Very Brief Case

CAST: Matthew McConaughey,Ryan Phillippe,Marisa Tomei,William H. Macy

Rating: ***

A courtroom thriller that spends a little too much time on lawyer Mick Haller’s personal life,The Lincoln Lawyer seems to be reasonably intelligent while you watch it,but struggles in the light of arguments should you put it on the dock later.

The presentable Mr McConaughey,having spent enough time on screen in courtrooms,knows how to fill out his role. Haller,as conceived by Michael Connelly,on whose novel this film is based,is a street-smart lawyer who knows how to procure the best deals for his dodgy clients. His clientele varies from small-time drug dealers to violent criminals. Driving between lock-ups and courtrooms,he conducts his business from the back of a Lincoln town car — hence the name. Haller has even found a way of justifying his work to himself,going by his father’s credo: “Nothing is scarier than defending the innocent.” The logic being that should one lose,how does one sleep at night?

However,Haller’s version of the judicial scales gets a shaking through Louis Roulet (Phillippe),a Beverly Hills rich “kid” accused of battering a woman. Roulet is all injured innocence,but as Haller starts digging,he realises he is not being told the entire truth.

The Lincoln Lawyer sets up the story till here nicely,but then loses its way. Even as Phillippe,with his red lips,boyish protests,rich guy entourage and protective mother,looks more interesting,the camera seems reluctant to let go of the loner lawyer. So Haller’s ex Maggie (Tomei) is thrown in; she also happens to be a public prosecutor. While they are not together,Haller and Maggie are often shown flirting and drinking,to make us wonder why. For the film,that’s not an issue. And when you realise that,despite the fine actor that she is,Tomei with her silly,unkempt hair begins to jar.

The film seems content to just have McConaughey ride alone,car windows rolled down,into the sunset.