Matthew McConaughey has become a cliche. Romantic comedy buffoon who takes his shirt off way to often. He's become a joke. After his performance in THE LINCOLN LAWYER, maybe the joke has been on all of us. Matthew can act and play drama and do all the things a movie star is supposed to do. The movie, based on a Michael Connelly novel, is a classic courtroom crime drama with legal machinations right up there with ..AND JUSTICE FOR ALL. While McConaughey doesn't rant like Pacino, he does command the screen the way a leading man is supposed to. The supporting cast is nearly as good. Ryan Phillippe is creepy good as a rich boy who is all conniving evil. William H. Macy and Marisa Tomei are solid as usual. The story makes perfect sense in its world and never makes you roll your eyes. Less than three months into the new year, and this movie should hold a place in the Top 10 of the year! — Alan Yudman
