I'm Behind.

Well I had a big weekend movie wise, so I'll just take on two for right now. Yesterday I saw "Michael Clayton" and "Lars and the Real Girl."

Michael Clayton- Michael Clayton (George Clooney) is what is known as "a fixer." He's the guy that law firms call at three in the morning to go to a client's house after that client has just committed a hit and run. He's the best there is and he's been doing this for seventeen years. He's had enough.
Arthur Edens (Tom Wilkinson) is an old associate of Michael's who's recently gone off his meds. He's committed an act that will require of a man of Michael's talents to save him. Michael genuinely cares about Arthur and when Arthur threatens to bring down a major corporation that's responsible for the deaths of hundreds of people, that's when things really get ugly.
Tony Gilroy (who wrote the "Bourne" screenplays) wrote and directed (his first time in the chair) a film that probably has more dialogue than the three "Bourne" movies combined. It's a good thing too because the dialogue is great. Particularly what he writes for Wilkinson who delivers an outstanding performance reminiscent of Peter Finch in "Network" (and there's nothing wrong with that). Clooney is solid as usual, though he certainly doesn't stretch himself here. Tilda Swinton is great as always, if underutilized.
"Michael Clayton" is a well-made and intriguing thriller, even if it takes a few turns along the way that feel familiar. It also features a very satisfying ending that could have come off as a little too neat, but Gilroy pulls it off. 8/10.

Lars and the Real Girl- Lars (Ryan Gosling) is a lonely young man living in a make shift apartment in a garage. His brother Gus ("Assassination of Jesse James's" Paul Schneider) and sister-in-law Karin (Emily Mortimer) care for him very much (it's their garage) and desperately want him to be happy. He's well-liked at work and at church but he just can't seem to connect with anyone. One morning a co-worker tells him about a website that sells inflatable (and anatomically correct) women. When Lars brings one home, convinced that she is a real person named Bianca, Gus and Karin are, needless to say, very worried about him. The next day, Dr. Dagmar (Patricia Clarkson) explains to Gus and Karin that it is essential for them to go along with Lars's "delusion." Lars takes Bianca in for regular check-ups which Dagmar conducts while finding out what's going on with Lars.
The premise for "Lars" could have either been the set-up for a one joke (and possibly rather crass) comedy or it could have come across as utterly unbelievable. No one seems to know exactly why Lars needs Bianca (he's not using her for the same reason his co-worker would have), but they do know that he needs them to accept her, and that's enough. The fact that the entire Wisconsin town Lars lives in is treating Bianca like a real person for his sake really does come across as believable. In an early scene in which Lars is attending church the pastor explains God's most important command: to love each other. The town demonstrates that love fully for Lars, trying to help him in any way they can. It's a very positive message that never comes across in a heavy handed way. Screenwriter Nancy Oliver and director Craig Gillespie (who also directed "Mr. Woodcock"...huh) do a terrific job of walking that tight-rope, and they make sure that Lars is never the butt of the joke.
As Lars begins to open up about Bianca (and himself) he gets closer to Margo (Kelli Garner) a co-worker with a crush on him. For the first time it seems he is ready to step into adulthood.
"Lars and the Real Girl" is a very enjoyable and effecting film that works often when it seemingly shouldn't. It only really seemed to trip up once in my mind but that's a lot more than I can say for most movies. It's a film that you will enjoy very much as you watch it and will grow on you after it's done. Tell your friends about it too. This is a movie to share. 9/10.