The Lincoln Lawyer (starring Matthew McConaughey and Marisa Tomei)

The Story:  Matthew McConaughey plays Mick Haller, a defense lawyer who uses the back seat of a Lincoln for his office (not that way - his actual working office!). I'm not really sure why that's important in this movie, but at least they don't make a huge deal out of it. I guess it keep overhead down. His clients are the usual guys that defense lawyers get - motorcycle thugs, junkies, other people who probably commit crimes in their sleep. However, when he gets Louis Roulet (Ryan Phillippe) as a client, things start to get weird. Roulet is your typical movie version of a spoiled rich kid, and he's accused of killing a prostitute. But there are a lot of similarities between this crime and one he defended years ago, where he convinced a client to take a plea deal in exchange for avoiding the death penalty. The twists and turns come as Haller tries to determine whether his client is guilty, and what to do about it if he is.  Marisa Tomei plays his ex-wife, although she really doesn't have anything to do here.

The Pros:

• McConaughey - he's in his element here, playing a cocky, slow talking lawyer.  Hugh Grant is the only other actor who is so good at one type of role that you almost don't mind him doing the same thing in each movie. If you like McConaughey, you'll love this movie.
• Phillippe - he's not a good actor, but he plays the spoiled rich kid so well that you have to wonder how much he's actually acting ...
• The plot - it's entertaining and has twists and turns while not being overly complicated

The Cons:

• William H. Macy - remember when we thought this guy could headline a movie? I've always liked him, but it seems those days are long gone. He's only a bit player here.
• Movie Advertising - They made a big deal out of the star power in this film, when Marisa Tomei doesn't really have role, and William H. Macy is a bit player.  At the same time, the title character (the Lincoln car) only has a couple of scenes. Lies, lies lies!! 

The Final Grade: A-.  Basically if you liked "A Time To Kill" you'll like this movie. As long as you're looking for an entertaining way to spend a couple hours, this movie is the perfect choice.