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The Lincoln Lawyer

Matthew McConaughey, Marisa Tomei, Ryan Phillippe, Josh Lucas, John Leguizamo, Michael Pena, Bob Gunton, Bryan Cranston, William H. Macy

Directed by: Brad Furman

English Movie

The Lincoln Lawyer is a 2011 American crime drama film adapted from the novel of the same name by Michael Connelly, starring Matthew McConaughey, Ryan Phillippe and Marisa Tomei. The film is directed by Brad Furman, with a screenplay written by John Romano. Moderately successful criminal defense attorney Mickey Haller (Matthew McConaughey) operates around Los Angeles County out of a Lincoln Town Car driven by a former client working off his legal fees (hence the title). Haller has spent most of his career defending garden-variety criminals, until he lands the case of his career: Louis Roulet (Ryan Phillippe), a Beverly Hills playboy and son of real estate mogul Mary Windsor (Frances Fisher), who is accused of the brutal beating of a prostitute. But the seemingly straightforward case suddenly develops into a deadly game of survival for Haller. Roulet is seemingly innocent and was at the wrong place at the wrong time. Haller and his investigator Frank Levin (William H. Macy) analyze the pictures and evidence, notably the injuries the victim sustained. It bears a similarity to a past case of Haller's that landed a previous client, Jesus Martinez (Michael Peņa), in jail for murdering a woman despite always proclaiming his innocence. Haller spends time with his ex-wife, prosecutor Maggie McPherson (Marisa Tomei), who has never appreciated Haller's efforts on behalf of guilty criminals when he ought to be trying to put them behind bars. All his clients claim to be innocent, but Haller begins to wonder if he should have tried harder on behalf of Martinez instead of convincing him to plead guilty in exchange for avoiding the death penalty. In prison, Martinez becomes agitated when Haller shows him Roulet's picture. Haller begins to suspect that Roulet could be the real killer in the Martinez case, but due to attorney-client confidentiality, he cannot tell the police what he has learned. Frank is mysteriously killed after leaving a voicemail message stating to have found a ticket to freeing Martinez from jail. Haller is suspected of killing Frank due to a collector's gun missing from his house that was used to kill Frank, a gun that Haller believes was taken by Roulet after breaking into Haller's home. Obliged to do his best for his client, guilty or not, Haller cross-examines the beaten prostitute and discredits her in the jury's eyes. After a prison informant lies to the prosecution and on the witness stand, the defense moves to dismiss all charges in the current case. Roulet is set free, delighting his mother, but the police then arrest Roulet immediately for the previous murder case due to the testimony Haller coaxed out of the witness. Haller acquires a gun from his driver, Earl, for any retribution he may face. Roulet is released due to lack of evidence and sets out immediately to kill Haller's wife and child, but Haller finds out in time to get them out of the house. He is waiting as Roulet arrives and draws his gun. Roulet mockingly tells Haller he won't be able to guard his family this way every day. But a group of bikers that Haller has previously represented teaches Roulet a lesson. Upon arriving home, Haller discovers Roulet's mother inside. She shoots him with the same gun of Haller's that killed Frank, confessing that she committed that murder. Haller, wounded, kills her with his new gun. After being discharged from the hospital, Haller discovers that Frank found a parking ticket issued to Roulet near the house of the murdered victim, making him a suspect in the murder. Martinez will be released, and Haller rides off to his next case.