Michael Clayton

Michael Clayton

Introduction

Truth can be adjusted states the opening line on the posters of the movie Michael Clayton. The story starts with the narration of a renowned legal lawyer, Arthur after an emotional breakdown when he confronts the moment of truth, the stark reality that how his work has ruined the lives of many people over the years. Michael Clayton is a miracle worker, an established lawyer working in a big law firm who can bend truth to suit ones choices but presently he is facing financial crunch due to a failed entrepreneurship endeavor. Therefore, all the issues related to ethical dilemma faced by the character Michael Clayton in the movie will be discussed in detail.

Discussion

The character Michael Clayton gets summoned to help his former friend Arthur who suffers a mental breakdown during a deposition related to U North, a front runner chemical company which entangled in a lawsuit over an alleged defoliant chemical poisoning causing deaths to many people in an old suburb. The breakdown happens when Arthur finds out that company turned a blind eye towards the dangers of the chemical substance in order to keep the profits bottom-line intact and is indeed guilty of all charges pressed against it. He turns rebel and tries to build a case against U North by helping one of the victim's kin Anna. The ambitious successor of the company Verne could not digest it and orders hit men to silence Arthur. Michael eventually finds out the truth and nearly gets killed before bringing Verne to justice (The Edgar Allan Poe Awards, 2010).

The most engrossing part of the movie is the interaction of Arthur with Henry, Michael's son, about a book. The book title is “Realms and Conquest”. It is about various warrior characters that are out there with different skills. They do not know whether the other warrior character is their friend or foe, neither can they reveal their identity lest they get into trouble. This story seems to intrigue Arthur who starts believing firmly that this story is an analogy drawn to the real world about lawyers. They are in different positions; some are powerful than others just like Arthur who has given his best years of life in defending a giant MNC U-North. They are in dilemma whether they can share their true thoughts in a proper way. Arthur realizes that in his best years of life ...