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As the title character Clooney brings a doomed demeanor to a once prominent NY lawyer who now acts as a "fixer" that is a hatchet or bag man to do his large firm's dirty work. Called a "miracle man" by some but self described as a "janitor", Clooney can't quite clean up the mess made by a fellow tormented litigator played to intense perfection by Tom Wilkinson. Clooney struggles to protect Wilkinson and grapples with overwhelming ethical dilemmas while juggling his own personal set-backs - financial insecurity brought on by divorce and a former gambling problem recently replaced by a risky restaurant venture.

Some of the narrative turns can be seen coming at a fair distance and there are some drawbacks with a few undeveloped characters - specifically Tilda Swinton's Chief Counsel for the bad guys and the unneccessary druggie brother of Clooney's imply some cut material. Sydney Pollack (one of the film's producers) as Clooney's boss does add some clout though it's a character he's played slight variations on before (see below). Tony Gilroy's direction decorated by hushed grey tones and a overcast auroa is impressive for a first time director (Gilroy wrote the BOURNE series). There's a lot to admire in this anti-slick suspense flick.

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