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THE LINCOLN LAWYER

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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article is about the film. For the novel, see The Lincoln Lawyer. For the TV series, see The Lincoln Lawyer (TV series).

The Lincoln Lawyer
Theatrical release poster
Directed byBrad Furman
Written byJohn Romano
Based onThe Lincoln Lawyer
by Michael Connelly
Produced bySidney KimmelTom RosenbergGary LucchesiRichard WrightScott Steindorff
StarringMatthew McConaugheyMarisa TomeiRyan PhillippeJosh LucasJohn LeguizamoMichael PeñaFrances FisherBob GuntonBryan CranstonWilliam H. Macy
CinematographyLukas Ettlin
Edited byJeff McEvoy
Music byCliff Martinez
Production
companies		Lakeshore EntertainmentSidney Kimmel EntertainmentStone Village Pictures
Distributed byLionsgate
Release datesMarch 10, 2011 (Hollywood)March 18, 2011 (United States)
Running time118 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$40 million[1][2]
Box office$87.1 million[2]

The Lincoln Lawyer is a 2011 American legal thriller film directed by Brad Furman and written by John Romano, based on Michael Connelly’s 2005 novel of the same name. The film stars Matthew McConaughey as Mickey Haller, a Los Angeles criminal defense attorney who operates out of the backseat of a chauffeur-driven Lincoln Town Car. Ryan Phillippe, Marisa Tomei, Josh Lucas, John Leguizamo, William H. Macy, and Bryan Cranston appear in supporting roles.

The story follows Haller as he takes on the case of a wealthy client accused of assault. As the trial progresses, Haller uncovers unsettling parallels with a previous case, forcing him to confront ethical dilemmas and hidden truths.

The Lincoln Lawyer was released by Lionsgate Films on March 18, 2011. It received generally positive reviews from critics and grossed $87.7 million worldwide.[3] The film was nominated for Best Action or Adventure Film at the 38th Saturn Awards.[4]

Plot

Mickey Haller is a criminal defense attorney in Los Angeles who works out of the back of a chauffeured black Lincoln Town Car. His clients are primarily low-level offenders, including members of a biker gang. His ex-wife, Maggie McPherson, is a district attorney, and they share custody of a daughter.

Haller is hired to defend Louis Roulet, the son of a wealthy real estate mogul, who is accused of assaulting Regina Campo, a prostitute. Roulet insists on having Haller as his attorney. As Haller and his investigator, Frank Levin, review the case, they note similarities to a past case involving the murder of another sex worker. Haller had represented the accused in that case, Jesus Martinez, who accepted a plea deal despite maintaining his innocence.

Haller visits Martinez in prison. Upon seeing a photo of Roulet, Martinez becomes agitated, prompting Haller to suspect that Roulet was responsible for both crimes. Bound by attorney–client privilege, Haller is unable to disclose this. Roulet confronts Haller at his home and implies threats toward his family.

Levin is found shot dead. A bullet recovered from the scene matches an antique pistol that had belonged to Haller’s late father and is now missing. Haller continues with the defense and arranges for a prison informant to testify that Roulet confessed to the earlier murder. The informant’s credibility is publicly undermined, but the testimony leads to Roulet’s arrest as he exits the courtroom.

Roulet is released due to lack of evidence. Haller confronts him, and members of the biker gang attack Roulet outside Maggie’s home. Maggie discovers that Levin had found a parking ticket placing Roulet near the scene of the previous murder, providing new evidence.

Haller returns home and is shot by Roulet’s mother, Mary Windsor, who confesses to killing Levin. Haller wounds her in self-defense using a pistol acquired from his driver, Earl Briggs. Martinez is exonerated, and prosecutors begin building a murder case against Roulet. Haller, back on the job, accepts a pro bono case for the biker gang as repayment for their help.

Cast

Reception

Box office

The Lincoln Lawyer grossed $58.0 million in North America and $28.7 million internationally, for a worldwide total of approximately $87.7 million, on a production budget of about $40 million.

Critical reception

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 83% of 173 critics’ reviews are positive, with an average rating of 6.7/10. The website’s consensus reads: “It doesn’t offer any twists on the predictable courtroom thriller formula, but with a charming Matthew McConaughey leading its solid cast, The Lincoln Lawyer offers briskly enjoyable entertainment.”[6] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 63 out of 100, based on 31 critics, indicating “generally favorable” reviews.[7] Audiences polled by CinemaScore awarded it a B− grade on an A+ to F scale.[8]

Film critic Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times awarded the film 3 out of 4 stars, stating: “The plotting seems like half-realized stabs in various directions… But for what it is, The Lincoln Lawyer is workmanlike, engagingly acted, and entertaining.”[9]

Michael Connelly, author of the original novel, viewed a rough cut on November 12, 2010, and commented, “I thought it was very loyal to the story and the character of Mickey Haller. McConaughey nails him.”[10]

Home media

The Lincoln Lawyer was released on Blu-ray and DVD on July 12,  2011.[11] It received a 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray release on August 15, 2017.[12]

See also

References

  1.  Kaufman, Amy (March 17, 2011). “Movie Projector: Matthew McConaughey, Bradley Cooper and an alien battle for No. 1”. Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles, California. Archived from the original on June 17, 2018. Retrieved March 17, 2011.
  2.  “The Lincoln Lawyer: Total Lifetime Grosses”. The Numbers. Archived from the original on June 22, 2012. Retrieved September 29, 2011.
  3.  “The Lincoln Lawyer”. Box Office Mojo. Retrieved January 29, 2025.
  4.  “The 38th Saturn Award Nominations”. www.saturnawards.org. Archived from the original on July 17, 2012. Retrieved June 18, 2025.
  5.  The Lincoln Lawyer (2011) – Full cast & crew – IMDb. Retrieved April 4, 2025 – via m.imdb.com.
  6.  “The Lincoln Lawyer“. Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved April 30, 2025. 
  7.  “The Lincoln Lawyer“. Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Retrieved October 10, 2023.
  8.  Young, John (March 20, 2011). “Box office report: ‘Limitless’ conquers weekend with $19 mil”. Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on March 11, 2022. Retrieved March 11, 2022. with a solid “A-” score from CinemaScore graders, Lawyer should hold up well the next few weeks.
  9.  Ebert, Roger (March 16, 2011). “His chauffeur chases ambulances”. Chicago Sun-Times. RogerEbert.com. Archived from the original on March 11, 2022. Retrieved March 11, 2022.
  10.  The Lincoln Lawyer Movie Adaptation Archived 2010-09-15 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2011-01-27.
  11.  “The Lincoln Lawyer Blu-ray and DVD Arrive July 12th”. MovieWeb. May 9, 2011. Archived from the original on June 19, 2013. Retrieved May 23, 2016.
  12.  “‘The Lincoln Lawyer’ Drops To 4K UHD Blu-ray!!! – Boomstick Comics”. boomstickcomics.com. May 30, 2017. Retrieved January 29, 2025.

Wikiquote has quotations related to The Lincoln Lawyer (film).

vteMichael Connelly
vteFilms directed by Brad Furman

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