A Velvet Switchblade: I love the movie “Michael Clayton” (trailer), written by Tony Gilroy.
As rich and brilliant as the Clayton script is, my favourite line of it never actually reaches the screen. It is a character description of seasoned lawyer, Marty Bach. (Clipped from the script; click to enlarge):
“A velvet switchblade.” Elegantly concise. And yet never actually verbalized in the movie. Such restraint. Velvet switchblade is the perfect description for the smooth, ethically-deficient and deadly-smart senior partner, a character played seemingly easily by Sydney Pollack; the role just flows out of him. Refer also to Pollack’s similar character in “Changing Lanes” (trailer).
Related:
I love the heaviness, the mood, and emotional space the film creates. How can you not be hooked after the opening scene.
I’m bookending here, but I just can’t leave out a clip to the closing scene. Nugget: Writer/director Gilroy is the voice of the cab driver. Also note that the beautifully peaceful music piece of this clip is titled “25 dollars worth,” though the line Clooney actually delivers is, “Give me 50 dollars worth. Just drive.” My guess is that was a Clooney-ism. You may recall that Clooney as Danny Ocean is a generous tipper. ♦
