Before this film, Matthew McConaughey was mostly seen as a wimp who was just fine with his taste in increasingly less inspired romantic comedies. But with La Défense Lincoln, everyone finally agrees!
The actor plays Michael Haller, a lawyer in Los Angeles who works in the back of his car, a Lincoln Continental. He spent most of his career defending low-level criminals until he stumbles upon the case of his life: a wealthy Beverly Hills playboy accused of attempted murder. But contrary to what he thought, this job will not be easy.
For Matthew McConaughey, Lincoln’s defense came at a good time. With rare exceptions such as Live on Ed TV, Thunder in the Tropics or How to Get Dumped in 10 Lessons, the actor has starred in mediocre films, romantic comedies and bad choices for almost 15 years. Revisiting Scrooge’s hilarious Christmas romcom with Haunted By His Exes, McConaughey takes a break. He is waiting for the right subject.
When La Défense Lincoln reached him, he invested in his role, met with real lawyers and chose himself the director, Brad Furman, whose way of filming in Los Angeles he appreciated in The Take (2007). The film is adapted from the novel by Michael Connelly.
The result, if not perfect, provides a solid film noir revisited with a modern sauce that Matthew McConaughey wears in fine form. His request allows him to show all his talent and charisma, to restore the image of the actor badly damaged by the avalanche of tasteless films.
Success was finally achieved with about 86.7 million worldwide for a budget of 40 million, and the actor then began a new career, which in barely three years would lead to the Oscar for Best Actor for Dallas Buyers Club (2014). That same year, he hit the small screen in True Detective. Great revenge!
As for the novel Lincoln’s defense, has been adapted again, this time for television. Created by David E. Created by Kelly (Big Little Lies), the series is still ongoing at the time of writing and is available on Netflix, starring Manuel Garcia-Rulfo.
Source: Allocine
Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.
