The Lincoln Lawyer, directed by Brad Furman, is a courtroom thriller starring Matthew McConaughey as a defense attorney. The film, although it is no masterpiece, is still surprisingly refreshing and satisfying. The character development, difficulties that Mick Haller faces with his conscience, and the ultimate lesson delivered about life are what make this movie stand out.
Matthew McConaughey plays as Mick Haller, a self-absorbed defense attorney who likes to count the money first, and then do what is right. At first glance, the decision to star McConaughey in such a role may seem to be a poor one; but in fact, it has added to the movie’s success. In the beginning, Mick Haller is portrayed as an attorney who’s only concern is himself and his money. When he is given the case to defend a rich client, Louis Roulet, it seems like a dream come true for him. At first, the case seems to be fairly simple, but the plot quickly intensifies. Louis was allegedly accused of beating and raping a prostitute. Mick initially believes Louis to be innocent, but further investigation shows a different side to the story. Mick begins to link this case to a previous one, where he convinced his client, Jesus Martinez, to plead guilty for murdering a women even though he claimed that he was innocent. Haller begins to wonder if he should have tried harder to prove Martinez’s innocence. After visiting Martinez in prison, Haller suspects Roulet of being the actual killer in both cases. Haller is presented with a moral dilemma of whether he should follow the attorney-client confidentiality rules or do what he believes to be right. Haller’s friend and investigator Frank Levin is murdered after he made a shocking discovery in the case. Because of his obligation as an attorney, Haller discredits the arguments of the prosecution and he presses the case to be dismissed. However, as soon as Roulet is set free, he is arrested for the previous murder based on a testimony that Haller got out of a previous informant. Roulet is released due to insufficient evidence and immediately goes to kill Haller’s family. Haller is able to intercept him and a group of bikers, who were previous clients, were able to stop Roulet. Haller finds the evidence that Levin previously discovered and finds out that Roulet’s mother murdered Levin in order to protect her son. The movie concludes with a satisfying ending that suggests that Martinez will be set free and Roulet will be given the death penalty.
The development of Mick Haller as a character and the personal struggle that he faces are the main things that make this movie interesting. Throughout the film, Haller has a gradual progression from someone who is only concerned about himself and money, to a character that has the will to defend his moral code. Numerous examples can be seen in the beginning of the movie as he swindles his client (and previous clients) from large sums of money. As the film progresses and Haller finds some startling evidence about the case, Haller is presented with a moral dilemma. His conscience takes control of him and he has a newfound sense of guilt. His regret for putting an innocent man in jail before and having to defend a man that he is sure is guilty gets the better of him. As an attorney, he is bound by lawyer-client confidentiality rules, which state that he is must keep anything Roulet tells him a secret, even when Roulet admits to the murder in the previous case. Haller’s conscience puts him into a few drunken episodes as he tries to think of a solution. His friend and investigator is also killed in the process, which only adds on to Haller’s grief. He decides to fulfill his duties as an attorney and proves Roulet’s “innocence” in the current case, but immediately prosecutes him for the previous case that put Martinez in jail. Haller has undergone a transformation into a person that will fight for what is moral and right.
The film prompts the viewer to question how a person should act in a dilemma like Haller: should one do what is morally right, or should one only look out for himself. In Haller’s instance, he knew that Roulet was guilty of murder, but as his attorney, he had an obligation to keep this a secret and defend him in court. Haller was able to come up with a clever solution, but it isn’t always that simple in life. Sometimes a person has to make a decision between doing what benefits him or doing what is right. In all cases, it is never an easy decision. Haller risked his and his family’s lives to do what is just, but will we be able to do the same?
In conclusion, The Lincoln Lawyer is a film that should interest both casual and serious audience. Whether it is Mathew McConaughey’s charm, or the moral dilemmas and plot twists of the film, this movie should appeal to all.
