The Defense is Present: The Lincoln Lawyer Movie Trailer Official (HD)

He may not deliver Oscar-worthy stuff, but one thing you can say for Matthew McConaughey: he never phones it in. whether its big-budget formula adventure like Sahara, or standard-issue romantic comedy like The Ghosts of Girlfriends Past, he always looks like he belongs exactly where he is.

And so it is with this fleet-footed adaptation of a novel by award-winning crime writer Michael Connelley (whose Blood Work was previously adapted by Clint Eastwood). Protagonist Mick Haller is the quintessential smooth operator, negotiating with a biker gang from the back of his Lincoln Towncar (hence the title), calming an antsy female drug felon (and prostitute) and obtaining damning info on a major drug dealer in the process, and occasionally copulating with his ex-wife (Marisa Tomei who, unfortunately, looks like she could use a rest).

Into that neat little rurbic comes Louis Roulet (Ryan Phillippe), the quintessential Beverly Hills rich kid, accused of assault and battery on a prostitute. His skillfully suffocating mother (Frances Fisher) is eager for him to beat the rap so he can jump back into the Maserati and continue to make a pretense out of selling megabucks real estate.

Of course, things about this case don't jibe for the street-smart, instinctual Haller from the beginning and, with the help of his trusty investigator (a virtual cameo by William H Macy) and copious amounts of liquor, the attorney begins to peel away the layers of deception revealing afar murkier core than his client has let on. Add to that the complication of an inmate (Michael Pena, in a near show-stealing turn) wrongly forced to accept a plea deal on a murder charge under similar circumstances, and feelings of guilt overall about having to defend obvious wrongdoers, and Lincoln Lawyer takes on some pleasing complexity.

Not enough though to move it out of standard Hollywood action-thriller territory, but thanks to the engaging and assured work of director Brad Furman, we accept the movie's gene limitations in exchange for intelligent and incisive photoplay. The courtroom scenes have an organic sheen, and the increasingly adversarial relationship between Haller as the lawyer and Roulet as his client is handled brilliantly. The presence of  John Leguizamo, Josh Lucas and Mason Laurence (the latter as Haller's driver Earl) making the most of their respective roles, further sweetens the cinematic pot, as does a slammin' soundtrack that features hip-hop classics from Rakim & Eric B, Gangstarr and veteran bluesman Bobby "Blue" Bland.

So, having first come to wider notice playing a trial lawyer in A Time To Kill, McConaughey has closed the circle, and in fine style. He'set tot venture into dark comedy next with "Killer Joe". We wish him well.