Tom Wilkinson - Michael Clayton (2007) Discussion

He was great. I think I could listen to him rambling for hours, as some form of bizarre audio book.

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LOVE THIS MAN!!! My favorite scene was when he was laying on the bed having the phone conversation with Michael's son about the book. He is so amazing in anything he does.

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[–] ecjones1951 12 years ago

That is a wonderful scene. I love him, too. He has put together a remarkable body of work and will get that Oscar one day.

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[–] joyceday 11 years ago

I've only watched him in a scene or two so far and know he should have won the Oscar. The man is a great actor and he has a charisma that Clooney only wishes he had.

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[–] buchan1965 11 years ago

Wilkinson *always* knocks it out of the park, no matter the role.

If you want to see him in a somewhat different role, check out the film "Normal".....he's a handsome man, but hoo boy, he sure makes one fugly woman.

Also of note: Jessica Lange's reaction when Hayden Panettiere says "Hey mom -- dad and I have the same bra size" is just priceless.

______________________________

Adversity does not build character. It *reveals* it.

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[–] kclofty-567-833807 10 years ago

Just watched it again, because I can't get enough of Tom Wilkinson in this. Just amazing acting and character.

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[–] teaguetod 10 years ago

Wilkinson as Arthur is one of the greatest performances (or at least, most enjoyable) I've seen. I wish we could have a whole movie just about Arthur -- especially him stripping down naked in the deposition room in Milwaukee and then running out in the parking lot after Anna.

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[–] film_ophile 9 years ago

I agree with all of you about TW. I would love to know who had the brilliance to realize that he would be so great in this role. I bet he just blew the socks off Gilroy as he watched the dailies. It would be ironic if he got the part because someone else turned it down, because he certainly convinced me that he was born to play that character.

Also, sometimes a director enlarges a role in response to a great performance; I wonder if that happened w/ TW's part in MC or if the script was a done deal when filming began...

The way to have what we want
Is to share what we have.

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[–] nhatchell 9 years ago

I just re-watched this movie and the three major characters, played by Clooney, Wilkinson and Swinton, were so beautifully acted. But Wilkinson was brilliant. He always is but this may be my favorite of his performances.

Interesting what you said about Gilroy being blown away watching TW in the dailies. Absolutely! Was probably cheering.

I never tire of watching this film and always see something new. Would give anything to have more movies of this quality being made. The acting, story, direction, cinematography, all superb. And especially TW.

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[–] Prismark10 10 years ago

There was an element of Peter Finch from Network about his character.

Its that man again!!

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[–] MuleDeer 8 years ago

There was an element of Peter Finch from Network about his character.

I felt the same thing and like both performances. Wilkinson made this movie. Funny, when re-viewing it, I noted he wasn't in it as much as I thought he was. That's a big performance. It's like the quote I can't recall from an actor/actress who took a part in a movie a friend remarked was small because of little screen time. But the actor responded, 'Yeah, but the other characters spend the entire movie talking about my character.' Which was true.

We deal in illusions, man! None of it is true!

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[–] sd45-1 8 years ago

I liked his performance in the movie 'Belle', too.

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[–] buchan1965 7 years ago

For me, his best scene is the one in the alley with Michael and the bag of bread, where he just dumps a bucket of cold water on Michael's threats to commit Arthur to a mental facility, first telling him "you're a bagman not an attorney", and then just dumps on every way that Michael (or anyone else) might try to have him committed. That was just amazing.

----
Adversity does not build character. It reveals it.

Caedite eos! Novit enim Dominus qui sunt

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[–] april_rain 7 years ago

Yes he was. He is one of those actors who never fails to deliver.

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