One of the thorniest and most celebrated legal thrillers in years, Clayton” marks the directorial debut of "Bourne"” trilogy screenwriter Gilroy, whose film is distinguished by intelligent dialogue, meticulous pacing, and plenty of riveting tension. A-lister Clooney adopts a quieter, less showy pose as a troubled lawyer torn between his loyalty to firm honcho Pollack and his pal Wilkinson, who gives an astounding performance as an erratic, manic-depressive lawyer at the breaking point. As you'd expect, the no-nonsense Swinton is superb as the offending Client's top lawyer (she won an Oscar for this). Director Gilroy handles all the intrigue— and cover-up, then a murder —with cold efficiency, but catharsis does arrive in the final scene.