From the moment The Lincoln Lawyer (Brad Furman, Lionsgate, 2011) opens, you immediately sense that you will be watching a throwback to the seventies and to great thrillers like The French Connection (William Friedkin, 1972). The films opening tells you all you need to know about the narratives protagonist. He works out of his Lincoln, he has a driver because like any good protagonist he is flawed (alcoholic), he knows his way around the streets as well as the inner workings of our flawed judicial system. While this opening is playing out we hear Ain't no Love in the Heart of the City by Bobby Bland which further associates the film to the seventies. This selection of opening song is amazing, a perfect fit, and sets the tone of the film right away.
This isn't the only song that is remarkable in this film. The entire soundtrack is a veritable who's who of eighties rap music, with songs by Eric B. And Rakim, Gang Starr and Erick Sermon. There is a versatility to the soundtrack as well, as it also incorporates the use of deadmau5 and Kaskade. The soundtrack helps serve the narrative by inflecting mood to the audience at various points throughout the film and it does this rather effectively.
Other effective cinematic techniques used by Furman include a stellar use of camera and cinematography. Furman and cinematographer Lukas Ettlin craft tremendous shots throughout the narrative. One of the things I notice most when watching a film is seeing when a director and cinematographer work together to show me a film shot in a new way, or in a way not often seen. Throughout this film Furman and Ettlin surprised and astonished me with great work.
Also displaying great work is one Matthew McConnaughey. McConnaughey, much like Keanu Reeves often gets derided for his ability to act. I cannot emphasize this enough but I feel this knock is complete garbage. Both actors know what works for them and they then set out to do it rather well. I'd much rather see both in roles they excel at than for an actor who most assuredly needs to stick to what he does best but often tries to stretch to other genres. And this role fits McConnaughey. He has an ability to charm the hell out of his audiences all while maintaining a certain snarkiness, an attitude that says "you know what, I am better than you and I'm gonna show you". That attitude is on full display in this role.
What isn't on full display in this film is a director trying to accomplish too much in regards to genre constraints and narrative. The film does not try to be what it isn't and there is a definitive lack of self importance which is rather refreshing. Many films today take themselves too seriously. Furman also leaves the film within the constraints of a legal thriller. He doesn't try that very common postmodern technique of hybridizing genres and this allows the film to flow nicely and end timely. I love seeing directors like Furman and Matthew Vaughn (X-Men First Class, Kick Ass, Layer Cake) work because they have such fresh vision and are not encumbered by expectation. And this shows in their work.
The Lincoln Lawyer is pure entertainment. It knows it's place, stays there and gives us one hell of a show. One of my favorite films this year!
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