Michael Clayton

The George Clooney starrer Michael Clayton is the kind of film that makes you want to clap or cheer at the end when the protag achieves a dubious sort of moral victory. Tony Gilroy directs in a confident manner, surely more able than other first time helmers. Gilroy has previously written many hit movies including the recent Bourne Ultimatum.
Clayton, not really a cop although his brother is a detective, and not actually a lawyer, works as a cleaner for a top law firm. When there's a problem Clayton's the one you call. Or as Clooney explains it in an impassioned speech: "I'm not the guy you kill, I'm the guy you buy off for$65,000."
The plot revolves around a class action lawsuit against a chemical company (think Erin Brockovich) and the lawyer (Tom Wilkinson in top form) handcuffing the various plantiffs has a pang of consciousness that leads to a breakdown. That's the cue to send in Clayton, although at this point he himself begins to feel some of his own pangs of consciousness.
The film has a sleek look and tight pacing. Add some high tension from supporting actors like Tilda Swinton and Sydney Pollack to bring the film to a full boil. There's a lot of dialogue and a few story turns that might lose an audience more attuned to CGI explosions. Michael Clayton has surveillance intrigue and only one explosion, but it's a smart film.