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The Lincoln Lawyer

The Lincoln Lawyer

2011
Drama, Suspense/Thriller
1h 58m
Matthew McConaughey stars in the big-screen adaptation of Michael Connelly's best-selling novel about struggling lawyer Mickey Haller, who conducts business from his Lincoln Town Car. When Mickey finally lands a big case, it has deadly consequences. Tasked with defending rich lothario Louis Roulet (Ryan Phillippe), who's been charged with assault, Mickey finds himself and his family in danger when he deduces that the sinister Louis may be guilty.
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The Lincoln Lawyer

2011
Drama, Suspense/Thriller
1h 58m
Your probable score
Avg Percentile 53.16% from 2269 total ratings

Ratings & Reviews

(2269)
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Rated 19 Mar 2011
7
84th
A surprisingly engaging piece of work for what's a fairly clockwork legal thriller that makes no attempt to really innovate its genre in any way. It thrums along at a brisk pace, throwing out an amusing twist here and there, and McConaughey's snakeoil charm - so repulsive in the romantic comedies he usually sticks with - actually fuels his lawyer character perfectly. There's a protracted midmovie flashback that's more than a little awkward, which notches my score down a little.
Rated 08 May 2011
75
77th
A really solid and entertaining thriller - something we rarely get anymore. It doesn't reinvent or improve upon formula but the fact that it is less about the mystery and the court room intricacies and more about the lawyer, a good role for McC, works to its advantage.
Rated 13 Jul 2011
60
36th
It takes McConaughey 43 minutes before the shirt comes off. That has to be a new record.
Rated 27 Mar 2011
77
74th
"The Lincoln Lawyer" is a finely-tuned legal thriller reminiscent of several others, but we all know these movies never get old. We are easily pulled in by a gripping story and an even more engaging lead in Matthew McConaughey who reminds all of us doubters the kind of talent he possesses when he isn't wasting it in lackluster rom-coms. "Lincoln" is a classy drama that keeps audiences turning the pages until the end credits.
Rated 17 Apr 2011
60
52nd
McConaughey has in a 20 year movie career starred in three good films... A Time To Kill, Reign of Fire and now The Lincoln Lawyer! If he could just stay away from the Rom-Com's it would prove that he truly has more balls than a chinese ping-pong tournament. The Lincoln theme is only introduced in the beginning, the transition from 1st to 2nd act is bad and so is Phillippe, but the rest of the cast is cool and does a great job. Oh, and yes, MM also takes his shirt of in this one ;-)
Rated 23 Jul 2011
50
40th
Entertaining, yes - mostly due to some relatively original plot twists - but nonetheless feels completely standardised.
Rated 28 Aug 2011
70
54th
McConaughey in the starring role didn't really inspire confidence that this will be good. But it turned out to be a pleasant surprise. A competent, if somewhat unoriginal, legal drama.
Rated 21 Mar 2011
75
58th
'The Lincoln Lawyer' feels a lot like an episode of 'Law & Order' with an alcoholic Matthew McConaughey as a crooked Hang 'em High McCoy. The film has a rhythm that amps up as the case melts into the other sections of Mick Haller's life. At first, it's lawyer-drink-family-drink-repeat, but as the film progresses, it become one big mass that threatens to implode and tumble apart. That works very well until the incredibly cheesy and unnecessary twist within one of the six endings provided.
Rated 24 Mar 2011
70
54th
Well performed and directed, but the real star is the intricate script.
Rated 21 Apr 2011
4
51st
Thought I'd celebrate my completion of law school with some hot legal drama action. It's got enough twists to keep you awake, but it's hard to deny that it's utterly cheesy and painfully familiar. The Tony Scott-like directing is especially cringe-inducing.
Rated 03 May 2011
75
78th
It is solid almost all of the way. McC shines in a movie that dares to show that age is catching up to him. I need more courtroom drama/thrillers.
Rated 15 Jun 2011
69
46th
The ending drags on for way too long but otherwise quite entertaining. McConaughey is surprisingly good, Macy is expectedly good.
Rated 20 Jun 2011
75
53rd
It succeeds on everything it needs to, but doesn't offer anything original to the formula. Who's complaining though? This is a great flick. It has a well written script, and a great performance by McConaughey, who isn't really known for giving great performances. He's charming and, well, was born to play this role. This translates to a thrilling courtroom drama with enough twists and turns to interest anybody.
Rated 13 Jul 2011
56
62nd
"Well, law-right, law-right, law-right..."
Rated 17 Jul 2011
62
16th
A middle of the road lawyer movie that I found to be very bland.The courtroom scene just dragged on.
Rated 28 Jul 2011
60
79th
You know what? I like Matthew McConaughey, haters be damned. He has a real knack for making scummy characters likable and makes good movies better. The Lincoln Lawyer has a good story and makes a memorable entry in the Lawyer genre, while being far less outlandish than other thrillers.
Rated 22 Oct 2013
65
58th
The story is so plot driven that characters occasionally behave mind numbingly dumb to get us from A to B in the half-believable shenanigans. But it's still an enjoyable throwback to the 1990s' legal thrillers, so I was entertained.
Rated 25 Nov 2013
45
45th
McConaughey isn't bad, but nowhere near what to me will always be his greatest performance, in 'Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation'; in 1994, McConaughey was robbed at the Oscars.
Rated 14 Sep 2023
75
80th
Kept me engaged throughout while distracted and there are few movies that do that anymore. I also rated it too highly on Letterboxd because of the positive experience and was immediately lambasted by a friend for placing it in the same hallowed category of rating that housed Dr. Strangelove. That's...tough to answer for. My ratings should be taken with a grain of salt as I do allow experience to seep into the objectivity. I'm just a guy watching movies and feeling feelings. Lame as it is.
Rated 20 Mar 2011
100
51st
really good movie really good cast of stars really good plot 10 out of 10
Rated 20 Mar 2011
15
21st
"Who knew cheesy one-liners and pro-bono work could simultaneously represent the worst impulses Hollywood has to offer." - Glenn Heath Jr.
Rated 21 Mar 2011
77
33rd
Very entertaining all the way through. Kept me guessing for the most part. I didn't understand the purpose of the Lincoln though. What was its symbolic significance (why was so much weight placed on it) beyond the opening credits resembling a car commercial?
Rated 24 Mar 2011
5
0th
Typically, The Lincoln Lawyer uses black pop culture to bring urban consciousness and street cunning to a Hollywood film's slick surface.
Rated 02 Apr 2011
60
58th
Could have dropped the last half hour and made no difference with me whatsoever
Rated 10 Apr 2011
80
66th
80.250
Rated 25 Apr 2011
90
69th
If only his female assistant was Sandra Bullock (again).
Rated 29 Apr 2011
60
62nd
Good.
Rated 21 May 2011
35
26th
Abs Magillicutty lawyers shit
Rated 22 May 2011
75
62nd
With a stellar cast and solid performances, nice cinematography, this is a decent movie, hampered by some plot holes etc.
Rated 28 May 2011
80
66th
This is a solid thriller. Absolutely the best movie of the year. Anyone who likes courtroom drama and dirty good guys should watch this NOW.
Rated 31 May 2011
7
57th
Unremarkably remarkable, Furman presents an intricately yet at times ludicrously plotted legal drama that still managed to be entertaining. You can tell McConaughey enjoyed playing this role, something I tend to condone, considering how he was pretty much born to play lawyers. Worth a watch, if only for Macy's awesome moustache.
Rated 02 Jun 2011
91
87th
Stand out gem! I was riveting throughout. Everyone was on top form the film shone. A must see of the year.
Rated 04 Jun 2011
60
25th
A McConaughey film where he doesn't show his abs...wait, no I saw em. Standard whodunit with the required amount of twists and last minute plans hatching in the courtroom. The Macy, Pena, and Leguizamo supporting cast is super awesome though. Entertaining, but something that will be forgotten in the very near future.
Rated 04 Jun 2011
80
54th
Nice plot
Rated 11 Jun 2011
70
66th
Forgettable twist-turn-courtroom-movie, but the acting is pretty good. McConaughey is over the top, but enjoyable if you can live with closeups of his tongue every time he opens his mouth. Supporting cast (Macy, Leguizamo, Pena) is top notch; Bryan Cranston deserves a bigger role.
Rated 14 Jun 2011
2
37th
M.McConaughey finally gets role which isn't romcom idiot? Unbelievable. Without this cast would be just little bit better than TV stuff like Matlock.
Rated 23 Jun 2011
23
14th
Nothing seriously wrong with it but doesn't feel challenging or engaging. For what it's worth I can't stand watching most courtroom/cop/forensic dramas and this is an example of why. Very formulaic and has the usual flashy editing that annoys.
Rated 27 Jun 2011
82
95th
If you give a great acor a great story the result is usually GREAT! And this movie is no exception!
Rated 04 Jul 2011
44
18th
A, quite literally, perfect Producer's Film. Every character beat is remixed to satisfactory precision, while significant character actors appear like a checklist on a Hollywood Tours Star Map. That's it's problem. The film is certainly well acted, but so polished to a brazen sheen you're blinded to it's surprisingly self-centered direction with more plotholes, bumps and turns than Sunset Blvd. by the beach.
Rated 09 Jul 2011
60
65th
Not something I'd ever watch again, but the decent story and cast make it well worth the 2 hours.
Rated 12 Jul 2011
3
65th
Good thriller/courtroom drama. Nice to see McConaughey in something not so polished. Phillipe is annoying though. Too many similarities with his character in "Cruel Intentions". Seems like it's all he can do... - Good
Rated 15 Jul 2011
68
15th
The script feels like an extended episode of any legal drama you'd find on TV, elevated slightly by a decent cast and a few interesting directorial flares here and there. That doesn't mean it's not somewhat entertaining though.
Rated 16 Jul 2011
65
20th
Matthew McConaughey plays Super Lawyer. A big shot who only exists to make you feel inferior about your own life, so you can live vicariously through his exploits. Although, once it settles in it manages to be surprisingly entertaining and you can get past initial the Mary Sueishness of McConaughey's character. A decent time killer and nothing more.
Rated 16 Jul 2011
80
37th
Gripping from start to finish. Armed with a great lead and an awesome soundtrack with everyone from Gang Starr to Bobby Blue Bland, The Lincoln Lawyer is a success.
Rated 21 Jul 2011
55
21st
The only good thing about this movie is that it maintains the pace it has. It is full of predictable twists and plans. The supporting cast does a better job than the lead.
Rated 22 Jul 2011
77
62nd
a solid outing with some good acting, and a few shining moments, but considering the track record for adaptations from connelly it's not surprising why i'm rather apathetic toward this. it almost has a kind of grisham feel to it, and i really never had a thing for his stuff either. all in all it's a decent watch, but i'd say wait until it's on tv.
Rated 25 Jul 2011
50
38th
A decent, occasionally good, courtroom drama that if put aside other courtroom dramas would fail to stand out in any direction. I have nothing to add to the mini-reviews of the likes of frederic_g54 and Ender- so I'll just leave it here.
Rated 28 Jul 2011
75
75th
Rewatched June 2022, same grade.
Rated 31 Jul 2011
8
60th
Really solid legal thriller, although I wish there was some closure with Ray Pena's character towards the end. Overall, very engaging and suspenseful!
Rated 09 Aug 2011
67
61st
Muy buena, la verdad que hace mucho que no veia un thriller bueno. Copada la trama y como te engancha. Matthew McConaughey arranca excesivamente canchero, pero despues desarrolla el personaje muy bien! Copada.
Rated 14 Aug 2011
60
62nd
like a long episode of columbo meets perry mason meets law and order :)
Rated 19 Aug 2011
80
62nd
Entertaining and involving legal drama feels like a throwback to the star-driven Grisham adaptations of the 90s. Former Grisham film alumni McConaughey is excellent in the lead and a strong supporting cast (notably creepy Phillippe and amusingly shaggy Macy) holds your attention, even if the plotting is sometimes superficial, and the climax seems rushed and unconvincing. Fine entertainment.
Rated 21 Aug 2011
99
0th
Great. Fun.
Rated 10 Sep 2011
68
54th
A fine effort brings the legal thriller back into the fray.
Rated 15 Sep 2011
69
32nd
Sub-par acting but a decent story.
Rated 16 Sep 2011
40
28th
An interesting plot is essentially ruined by bad acting and shallow characters. McConoughey is as awful in this movie as his name is difficult for me to spell.
Rated 17 Sep 2011
65
34th
Nice performance from McConaughey, the story is quite gripping aswell. Shame about the soundtrack, but it seems nowadays you can't really convey a street feeling without dem raps yo. All in all, quite entertaining.
Rated 18 Sep 2011
76
31st
Nothing special, but it tells an interesting but complicated story efficiently and clearly. McConaughey is the perfect combination of charm and sleaze, and Tomei and Macy are fine as always.
Rated 18 Sep 2011
70
78th
Basarili bir suc filmi, basindan sonuna kendisini izlettiriyor. Kurgusu ve oyunculuklari gayet basarili.
Rated 02 Oct 2011
75
53rd
It started off like a long episode of CSI or Law & Order, but it ended up being really interesting and broke out from that formula a bit. A solid court-room drama. I usually don't like Mathew McConaughey, but he was decent in this. He really reminds me of Bradley Cooper.
Rated 22 Oct 2011
77
74th
I absolutely hate Mc Conaughey in romantical films or comedies, but here.. Pretty decent flick, in my opinion. Inventive story, partly inspired on other lawsuit films, but neverthless well done. Loved the cast, performances and camerawork! Absolutely loved Earl, the layed back driver!
Rated 04 Nov 2011
70
55th
Bardzo dobrze zagrany, interesujaca fabula, profejsonalna realizacja. Warto zobaczyc.
Rated 07 Nov 2011
55
36th
I severely dislike Matthew McConaughey and every time I see William H. Macy's face, I think "Fargo" or "Marmaduke". Which are everything this isn't: Fun and cool - or abysmal. I liked the driver, I always like Marisa Tomei and yes, I liked the plot-twists (no wait, some of them). I don't know. Dull Hollywood strikes again! (actually it's not all conventional Hollywood, but hey I'll let the words ring out)
Rated 29 Nov 2011
90
90th
This is a very interesting film. Well cast and acted, Matthew McConaughey gives a wonderful performance as a lawyer with a weird sense of loyalty to the law while working out of his Lincoln. This is probably my favorite crime/lawyer drama made next to the Rainmaker. On the down side, the movie takes some time getting started, but when it gets going it takes off with more twists and turns that keeps you guessing up to the very end. Wish McConaughey would continue movies like these.
Rated 12 Dec 2011
70
53rd
Matthew Mconaughey, or MCON for short, stars as a charismatic lawyer who has everything going for him. That is until the plot of this film hits him in his pretty face and things start to fall apart around him. MCON goes through the motions and deals with a few twists and turns before reaching the final conclusion. It all is very standard fare to be honest and the performances are unremarkable. Not that it's a bad courtroom thriller, on the contrary but it's definitely not genre defining either.
Rated 29 Dec 2011
5
4th
One of the worst I've seen. Had to warn someone.
Rated 05 Jan 2012
80
63rd
I love McConaughey in this role. We all knew he could play a douchebag and we all knew he could play an attourney, but to combine them into a slick douchebag lawyer with a relaxed adherence to the law is movie gold. This movie isn't preachy or holier than thou. It's just a good thriller where the protaganist learns absolutely nothing in the course of the movie. In the words of Niles Crane of Frasier "Lawyers make excellent patients. They have excellent health care and they never get better."
Rated 16 Jan 2012
80
67th
Not bad. It kind of feels like a stretched out TV crime procedural. If you're into that kind of thing, this movie might be for you.
Rated 15 Feb 2012
2
59th
McConaughey is surprisingly good in this one
Rated 09 Mar 2012
68
65th
Adequate crime/thriller with McConaughey as a slick talking small time lawyer. Not bad but felt like it could have been more.
Rated 09 Mar 2012
80
84th
Pleasant. Great entertainment
Rated 13 Mar 2012
74
56th
Questionable stylistic choices (shakey cam and excessive teal/orange color grading) aside, this is decent entertainment. Well-worn territory, but McConaughey brings enough charisma to his role to captivate, and it strikes a good pace. Best for when you want something light and slick to watch.
Rated 01 Apr 2012
70
77th
The Lincoln Lawyer is a film that needed to end right after its primary court case concluded. If it had, it would have been an excellent film. As it is, it's a very good one that kept me engaged for over an hour and a half -- until the point when it decided to throw in a ton of arbitrary and unnecessary twists to the plot. It has good acting, a solid story and is a great deal of fun if you're willing to pay attention and try to think with, or against, its characters.
Rated 04 Apr 2012
60
71st
Decent enough lawyer/criminal/courtroom affair that has a better first half than second and suffers from a lack of any real climax. Trundles along nicely enough, the cast fit their roles (if not threatening to win any awards), and it wasn't a waste of my time watching it, but I'm almost certain I'll have forgotten everything about it in a couple of weeks.
Rated 10 Apr 2012
75
48th
A pleasant surprise from McConaughey.
Rated 13 Apr 2012
58
31st
A decent film, well acted and directed. Unfortunately, the plot was overcomplicated and underdeveloped, which legal thrillers adapted from novels almost always are. I didn't hate it though, so that's a plus.
Rated 05 May 2012
60
30th
Very good film, but with comparatively low stakes plot-wise. Makes me ask why films like this are still being made. Surely tv has cop-procedural covered?
Rated 30 May 2012
89
84th
A courtroom drama at its finest with a twist. McConaughey brings back his lawyer-ness last used in A Time to Kill and does just as well. There are so many things I would like to say in this but I'm afraid it will add too many spoilers so... just watch this movie. It's really good. McConaughey is relentless in his pursuit for justice, Tomei did well as the ex-wife, Phillippe was an excellent defendant and Leguizamo was as sleazy as ever. Last thing, I really enjoyed the music in this film.
Rated 04 Jun 2012
79
77th
This is a good film that has a strong script. The script keeps the story moving well. There are some nice surprises in the movie. There is a nice ensemble cast that works well together.
Rated 30 Jun 2012
75
86th
I like courtroom dramas/thrillers, and this was a pleasant surprise. The predicaments and solutions to those predicaments were satisfying. Liked McGonahey in this role, but the other good actors were mostly wasted.
Rated 19 Aug 2012
72
63rd
add Bob Gunton and Frances Fisher to cast.
Rated 27 Aug 2012
3
38th
It's all surface pleasure, but boy is this movie slick as hell. By the end it's moving around so many puzzle pieces and rather effortlessly connecting them that I didn't even care how absurd and blatantly contrived it all was. Granted, it's probably too damn slick for its own good, what with the vivid flashbacks, overstuffed character roles and glamorous legal portrayal, but it's definitely a fun ride. Props for casting Ryan Phillippe as the fucking tool I suspect he is in real life.
Rated 30 Aug 2012
45
34th
Moderately entertaining legal thriller with generally good performances, but plot is fairly ludicrous and runs out of steam somewhat. Orange-and-teal, but not the most egregious example.
Rated 17 Jan 2013
25
35th
makes about as much sense as mitt romney's tax plan!
Rated 23 Jan 2013
71
64th
McConaughey can be really good in the right role, and this is a great example. The strong points of the movie are his performance and the script itself. The direction is serviceable, but indistinct from any other similar thriller. I also wish there was more room in the script for William H. Macy, who always adds to any scene he's in.
Rated 25 Jan 2013
80
83rd
Matthew McConaughey is convincing as the sleazy defense lawyer defending a murder suspect (Ryan Phillippe). The crime unfolds and the lawyer finds himself stuck in a no win situation. After his investigator is killed and his family threatened, he has to take drastic steps to protect himself and keep his license. A good struggle between the not-so-good and a sociopath. Also, Marisa Tomei is great as the ex-wife.
Rated 22 Feb 2013
85
80th
Entertaining and suspenseful! McConaughey's best role as of yet!
Rated 03 Apr 2013
74
72nd
Good pacing and has a nice vibe to it, especially in the first half of the film. Very entertaining and with a good script.
Rated 21 May 2013
84
63rd
Very good courtroom thriller bolstered by a fantastic lead performance from McConaughey.
Rated 03 Jun 2013
80
77th
Every once in awhile, I really love Matthew McConaughey. This is one of those moments.
Rated 23 Jun 2013
70
57th
It could done without the occasional cliches parts, but generally decent.
Rated 27 Jul 2013
84
82nd
Compulsively watchable, with flawless pacing, sharp characterization, and fine acting that all pump up a stock lawyer plot into a surprisingly great and recommendable movie.
Rated 27 Aug 2013
80
61st
A really great '90s-style Grisham-esque legal thriller. McConaughey reminds us he can act (but he still takes his shirt off).
Rated 03 Sep 2013
65
30th
Your standard crime movie and I saw the end coming from miles away. The way the movie is 'solved' is pretty cool though :). Worth the watch as it doesnt get dull.
Rated 17 Nov 2013
81
57th
Surprisingly good. Matthew McConaughey is rounding out to be a really fantastic actor.
Rated 21 Jan 2014
82
35th
Enjoyable in a very TV like way. Not great but enjoyable.
Rated 05 Mar 2014
74
51st
matthew rocks
Rated 09 Mar 2014
68
20th
The Lincoln Lawyer left me with mixed feelings. The plot drifts somewhere between the unlikely and the unsurprising and the cinematography is unremarkable. Moreover, I have no idea whatsoever why the characters acted in the ways they acted, it seems their motivations just shifted randomly to serve the plot. The reason the movie stays afloat is McConaughey's performance, a lesser actor would not have been able to pull off most of his lines.
Rated 18 Apr 2014
78
58th
78.000
Rated 29 Apr 2014
70
51st
It's fine.

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