Tony Gilroy, fed up with writing what he calls errands for everybody else (eg the Bourne films), has written and directed a highly accomplished first feature in this moralistic thriller.

The fact that it stars George Clooney, a favourite at the Venice Festival as an American star prepared to work for less than his going rate on intelligent films, would seem to make it a dead ringer for a prize. Clooney plays Michael Clayton, an in-house fixer for one of the largest corporate law firms in New York. The firm defends corrupt politicians, the doubtful practices of big corporations and anybody powerful who has taken a fall from grace. And it makes heaps of money doing so.

A divorce, gambling debts and a failed business venture have left Clayton's personal life in a mess. Added to that, he's beginning to feel that his job isn't actually worth doing.

Everything comes to a head when a chemical company, hiring his firm to settle a case in its favour, seems prepared to murder to achieve a compromised outcome. This time, Clayton balks at what is happening and fights to achieve some sort of justice.

Gilroy orchestrates his attack on the morals of corporate lawyers with considerable skill and provides Clooney with a part that brings out the best in him. Added to that, there are substantial roles for two British actors of real quality.

Tom Wilkinson plays a brilliant lawyer who has a breakdown and threatens to spill the beans, and Tilda Swinton is the offending company's counsel desperately trying to put a good face on bad practices.

They, along with Clooney, are outstanding and only Gilroy's unnecessarily convoluted plotting, which often makes a much better than average film difficult to follow in detail, may prevent its popular appeal.