Strong cast at center of thriller 'Michael Clayton'

"Michael Clayton" -- This is a fantastic film, a smart, character-driven thriller that demands a lot from the audience but rewards the effort. George Clooney, one of three people in the cast nominated for an Oscar (he's up for the Best Actor prize), plays Michael Clayton, a "fixer" who cleans up potentially messy cases for his high-powered law firm. He's tapped to rein in his buddy Arthur (Tom Wilkinson, Best Supporting Actor nominee), a top litigator who suffers a nervous breakdown while defending a chemical company in a class-action lawsuit. Despite Michael's efforts, it seems that Arthur is starting to side with the plaintiffs, which earns him the enmity of Karen Crowder, chief counsel for the chemical company (Tilda Swinton, Best Supporting Actress nominee). A pit bull in a power suit, Karen will do whatever she can to keep the case going the company's way. As she moves against Arthur, Michael finds himself caught in a dilemma: Does he protect his firm, or save his own soul?

"Michael Clayton" was written and directed by Tony Gilroy, who wrote all three "Bourne" movies (this is his first outing as director). Though the story unfolds in sometimes disorienting flashbacks, Gilroy manages to keep everything moving forward. The ending is a bit too tidy and triumphant for what is an angry film, but overall, "Michael Clayton" wins the case. The DVD is surprisingly light on extras, but what's here is pretty good: a commentary from Gilroy and deleted scenes. (R; Warner Home Video, $28.98)

"American Gangster" (three-disc collector's edition) -- A nagging sense of familiarity keeps "American Gangster," a beautifully made and well-acted crime epic, from reaching greatness. Like Martin Scorsese's "Goodfellas," the film charts the rise and fall of a charismatic real-life organized crime figure, in this case Frank Lucas, a drug kingpin who ruled the streets of 1970s Harlem. Like Michael Mann's "Heat," the movie unfolds via two parallel narratives -- one focusing on Lucas, the other on Richie Roberts, the New Jersey cop hellbent on taking Lucas down. And much as Francis Ford Coppola did in "The Godfather," director Ridley Scott uses this pulpy story to comment on the dark side of the American dream. But if this material is familiar, it's also undeniably entertaining. Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe are excellent as Lucas and Roberts, respectively, and the broad scope of this 160-minute epic allows for some juicy supporting roles, most notably Josh Brolin's mad-dog performance as a corrupt New York cop and Ruby Dee's short-but-powerful turn as Lucas' mother (she earned a Best Supporting Actress nomination for the role). "American Gangster" doesn't break any new ground for the crime/gangster genre, but it's a worthy addition to it. Universal's handsome three-disc collector's edition DVD set includes the theatrical cut of the film as well as an extended version with 18 additional minutes. (I prefer the original cut.) Also on board is a commentary with Scott and screenwriter Steve Zaillian, a great making-of documentary, deleted scenes and a 32-page book of background material. Fans of the film will not be disappointed with this set. (R; Universal, $34.98)

"Margot at the Wedding" -- I guess you'd call Noah Baumbach's "Margot at the Wedding" a comedy, though you'll be wincing as often as laughing. The film introduces us to two sisters whose relationship appears to be built on anger, jealousy and spite. Margot (Nicole Kidman) is a successful novelist traveling to her childhood home to see sister Pauline (Jennifer Jason Leigh), who's about to get married to oafish but endearing slacker Malcolm (Jack Black). The sisters nip and bite at each other, hinting at but never really discussing past hurts (an abusive father is briefly mentioned). Baumbach, whose previous film was the excellent "The Squid and the Whale," is a master of corrosive humor (the dialogue here goes down like battery acid), and I liked his intimate, in-your-face shooting style (a clear homage to the French New Wave directors). The actors are all fearless, portraying deeply flawed and unpleasant people without a trace of vanity. But the movie meanders in its final act, and that lack of focus blunts what should have been a stunner of a final scene. Still, fans of pitch-black comedy will find much to like in "Margot." The DVD includes a conversation with real-life marriage partners Baumbach and Leigh. (R; Paramount, $29.99)