The Lincoln Lawyer (film)

Plot

Mickey Haller is a criminal defense attorney in Los Angeles who works out of the back of a chauffeured black Lincoln Town Car. His clients are primarily low-level offenders, including members of a biker gang. His ex-wife, Maggie McPherson, is a district attorney, and they share custody of a daughter.

Haller is hired to defend Louis Roulet, the son of a wealthy real estate mogul, who is accused of assaulting Regina Campo, a prostitute. Roulet insists on having Haller as his attorney. As Haller and his investigator, Frank Levin, review the case, they note similarities to a past case involving the murder of another sex worker. Haller had represented the accused in that case, Jesus Martinez, who accepted a plea deal despite maintaining his innocence.

Haller visits Martinez in prison. Upon seeing a photo of Roulet, Martinez becomes agitated, prompting Haller to suspect that Roulet was responsible for both crimes. After entering his home, Roulet admits to Haller that he killed the other prostitute, reminding him that he is bound by attorney–client privilege, and therefore unable to disclose this. Roulet also threatens to hurt his family.

Levin is found shot dead. A bullet recovered from the scene matches an antique pistol that had belonged to Haller’s late father and is now missing. Haller continues with the defense and arranges for a prison informant to testify that Roulet confessed to the earlier murder. The informant’s credibility is publicly undermined, but the testimony leads to Roulet’s arrest as he exits the courtroom.

Roulet is released due to lack of evidence. Haller confronts him, and members of the biker gang attack Roulet outside Maggie’s home. Maggie discovers that Levin had found a parking ticket placing Roulet near the scene of the previous murder, providing new evidence.

Haller returns home and is shot by Roulet’s mother, Mary Windsor, who confesses to killing Levin. Haller wounds her in self-defense using a pistol acquired from his driver, Earl Briggs. Martinez is exonerated, and prosecutors begin building a murder case against Roulet. Haller, back on the job, accepts a pro bono case for the biker gang as repayment for their help.

Cast

• Matthew McConaughey as Mickey Haller
• Marisa Tomei as Maggie McPherson
• Ryan Phillippe as Louis Roulet
• William H. Macy as Frank Levin
• Josh Lucas as Ted Minton
• John Leguizamo as Val Valenzuela
• Michael Peña as Jesus Martinez
• Bob Gunton as Cecil Dobbs
• Frances Fisher as Mary Windsor
• Bryan Cranston as Detective Lankford
• Trace Adkins as Eddie Vogel
• Laurence Mason as Earl
• Margarita Levieva as Regina Campo
• Pell James as Lorna
• Shea Whigham as Dwayne Jeffrey "DJ" Corliss
• Katherine Moennig as Gloria
• Michael Paré as Detective Kurlen
• Michaela Conlin as Detective Sobel
• Mackenzie Aladjem as Hayley Haller
• Eric Etebari as Charles Talbot

Reception

Box office

The Lincoln Lawyer grossed $58.0 million in North America and $28.7 million internationally, for a worldwide total of approximately $87.7 million, on a production budget of about $40 million.

Critical reception

Audiences polled by CinemaScore awarded it a A− grade on an A+ to F scale.

Film critic Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times awarded the film 3 out of 4 stars, stating: “The plotting seems like half-realized stabs in various directions… But for what it is, The Lincoln Lawyer is workmanlike, engagingly acted, and entertaining.”

Michael Connelly, author of the original novel, viewed a rough cut on November 12, 2010, and commented, “I thought it was very loyal to the story and the character of Mickey Haller. McConaughey nails him.”

Home media

The Lincoln Lawyer was released on Blu-ray and DVD on July 12,  2011. It received a 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray release on August 15, 2017.

References

References

1. Kaufman, Amy. (March 17, 2011). "Movie Projector: Matthew McConaughey, Bradley Cooper and an alien battle for No. 1". [[Los Angeles Times]].
2. "The Lincoln Lawyer: Total Lifetime Grosses". The Numbers.
3. "The Lincoln Lawyer".
4. "The 38th Saturn Award Nominations".
5. (2011-03-20). "Box office report: 'Limitless' conquers weekend with $19 mil".
6. (March 16, 2011). "His chauffeur chases ambulances". RogerEbert.com.
7. [http://www.michaelconnelly.com/Book_Collection/Lincoln/Movie/movie.html The Lincoln Lawyer Movie Adaptation] {{Webarchive. link. (2010-09-15. Retrieved 2011-01-27.)
8. (May 9, 2011). "The Lincoln Lawyer Blu-ray and DVD Arrive July 12th".
9. (2017-05-30). "‘The Lincoln Lawyer’ Drops To 4K UHD Blu-ray!!! - Boomstick Comics".