The Divergent View: The Meaning In MICHAEL CLAYTON

[@shakntalk]

This video deserves 1 million views. Thank you.

[@Treebard]

The horses scene is genius. I always thought of it as Michael finally acknowledging beauty in the world. Which is akin to your interpretation that he is finding himself. I also love the final scene in the taxi.

[@geekvinos]

Damn. That was a mighty fine analysis. I find myself coming back to 'Michael Clayton' every so often. There is a heavy weight to the themes of the movie. They're not spelled out for you, but once intuited, it feels like a suit of armor for the mind. Appreciate the work.

[@highelectricaltemperature]

I think the three horses also represent family. After he escapes the car wreck, he gets help from both of his brothers - he gets a ride from Tim, and gets his cop brother to help take down Karen. For Michael, "knowing thyself" means reconnecting with his family, even those that have wronged him.

[@RWSCOTT]

ah, interesting take! I do like how each older brother sits in judgment of the next younger one. Gene judges Michael judges Tim.

[@flippert0]

@@RWSCOTT I can relate. I'm the younger brother of three older ones 😄😗

[@coreyhall1150]

@@flippert0 I'm the younger brother of 4 and 2 sisters.

[@paulneal7495]

What car wreck ?

[@charleshilliard4975]

Rob - is not the sharing of bread from Arthur to Michael symbolic of the Last Supper? Michael later becomes a disciple of Arthur’s ministry.

[@ScottWDoyle]

This film means so much to me. And you've shed some new light on it. Thank you.

[@RWSCOTT]

it's a special film to me too. I always notice new things when I go back to it. :) and thank you!

[@bronzewand]

This was awesome man. You've got a great style with this kind of stuff

[@RWSCOTT]

Glad you enjoyed it, JP! I'm hoping keeping the subjects focused but going back to the MB type presentation will bring some new subs. )

[@whitedude877]

That was very profound. One of my favorite films given new life with your insight. The bit about being present saving him is really moving. I never thought of it that way.

[@RWSCOTT]

ah, appreciated man. thanks for watching!

[@thomasmcloughlin5402]

The childlike perfect present is a powerful comment aye.

[@gregorysporleder4749]

Great analysis. Wonderful video. Thank you

[@TheC4CD]

Very thoughtful. The more I think about the story the better it gets. Thanks.

[@RWSCOTT]

Thanks for listening!

[@6ixthhydro652]

I saw him as a cold cynical owl at first, but his character is very complicated and he does have a positive relationship with family. Probably happier than most of the other lawyers there.

[@anilles2001]

Great film and analysis.

[@iancurtis6490]

I've seen this film about 8-9 times and love your analysis.

[@RWSCOTT]

that means a lot, thanks. definitely a favorite of mine.

[@Torakan1]

Great analysis. I've watched this movie 10+ times and you still surfaced things I'd never recognized before. Well done!

[@RWSCOTT]

much appreciated! I'm glad people enjoy this vid & are still discovering this film. ^_^

[@justinssongsarehis2]

I have to say man... I just watched this movie for the first time last night and your analysis blew me away. So many KZbinrs just summarize the film in the vein of blanketing it as analysis, but you actually went for it. The knight symbolism is something I didn't pick up on in the first watch (admittedly I was enjoying a few glasses of wine through my viewing) but I think it's pretty solid even though you say it's not concrete. I thought it was very good when I thought about it before bed, but after taking in more context with your videos, I'm comfortable with calling it great. I think a big weakness of films like this coming out in 2007 is that there isn't a lot of spectacle. It's a character drama and that doesn't appeal to a lot of people. Lastly, I thought another poignant use of symbolism is Michael taking a taxi around town at the end. He no longer has his Mercedes, the horse that was given to him by the company. That company is a king he's no longer loyal to.

[@RWSCOTT]

you're so right. Damn, that's good! Appreciate the thoughtful comments. Well met, sir. Thanks for watching!

[@RobertGarcia-wb4hy]

@@RWSCOTT Rob I echo Justin, amazing work on your part, I enjoyed this immensely. You may want to try an analysis of Heat (DeNiro/Pacino) - I think your style would lend itself perfectly to it. Thanks again...!

[@danfloros4267]

Great stuff Rob...on my fave flick..more power to ya from Down Under

[@RWSCOTT]

thanks, man. glad people are still finding this one. :)

[@sixwaveholddown]

Honestly this movie was pretty confusing for me but makes all the sense after watching this. Great film, great analysis

[@RWSCOTT]

that means a lot, thanks.

[@thomasmcloughlin5402]

Outstanding. Going to a funeral of a child hood friend age 58. Cancer. Landscape Gardener small business operator. I work as a lawyer. You hit my buttons in every way here. You have some Grisham in your head there maybe.

[@RWSCOTT]

that really means a lot, thanks. sorry for your loss. :(

[@dustyayer8569]

Pay attention. Be present. Great points! Loved your analysis.

[@dustyayer8569]

Oh and I also like your observance of the importance of seeing with eyes of a child (his son). “Amen I tell you: Unless you are turned and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”

[@RWSCOTT]

Yes! Thank you!

[@user-gp5kh5tu4k]

The final taxi scene indicates that Michael has gone from knowing himself to actually being himself. He has gone on a journey and now knows who he is...I thought it was very similar to Apocalypse Now with Wilkinson as Kurtz and Michael sent on a journey down the river to bring him back...New York as a corporate Vietnam, legal actions as a form of brutal deadly war devoid of any sense of justice, and the lawyers as the unforgiving military, with some being willing to terminate with extreme prejudice...

[@RWSCOTT]

'the horror, the horror..' that's a fascinating take! knowing -> being, yeah- very sharp. thanks for watching!

[@phishbill]

Great analysis of a great (and underrated) film. Good at ya.

[@RWSCOTT]

thanks, man. glad you enjoyed it. :)

[@robertvazquez9192]

Really fascinating analysis of this great film. Well done! I think this film finds Michael continuing to evolve. The Gambling scene is important because it sets up how what might have been a compulsion for Michael the year before is controlled and deliberate. He laughs off the other gambler trying to goad and bait him, with humor and self confidence. I also find it fascinating that despite deciding to risk a great deal to do the right thing, at the end he makes it clear that “As the fixer” he still has the capability to do whatever is necessary.

[@RWSCOTT]

well said! Thanks for watching!

[@onastick2411]

I don't know he laughs anything off, he's falling back into old patterns of destructive behaviour, its the other gamblers comment about the failed restaurant, "just had to be a rock star huh", that brings him back to earth, what is he doing there? His decision to leave, saves his life, and sets the ball rolling, on such slivers is life and death divined, the horses merely save him for the path of justice aligned.

[@_________________________7050]

Thank you for making this video

[@ryangettig274]

Multiple & Myriad Symbolism going on in this Masterpiece,Tony Gilroy is Genius:)

[@ryangettig274]

7:30 Even two in one week!Spot On Correct & probably how thing's operate in these times...

[@JohnnyNiteTrain]

Everything him and his brother Dan have a hand in writing/directing and producing is GREAT!! Not a coincidence that since Star Wars has been back in the last decade, they've written the best movie (Rogue One) and series (Andor).

[@ryangettig274]

@@JohnnyNiteTrain I agree.

[@patrick1161]

Amazing review. Thank you. Keep it up.

[@RWSCOTT]

Thanks for watching! The next one's going to be really special. :D

[@judithfox2435]

I love this movie; great story, direction, writing, and acting. George Clooney nails his character. Actually made me a fan.

[@RWSCOTT]

same. I love him in The Descendants, too.

[@judithfox2435]

I will seek out The Descendants.

[@HenryChinaski614]

I enjoy your analysis and your video composition. Thanks.

[@RWSCOTT]

Many thanks!

[@HenryChinaski614]

@@RWSCOTT The pleasure is mine. Please keep these coming! Take care.

[@BS-lk3jg]

good stuff!

[@RWSCOTT]

Glad you liked it!

[@bryanbasore6631]

Amazing take on the film I’d like it twice if I was able to

[@micabella555]

Well done!

[@RWSCOTT]

thank you so much :)

[@davidgalliano84]

Arthur asks Michael Do you have the Horses for that?

[@imogul42]

And when Michael says I’m not the enemy. Arthur replies, Well then who are you? Brilliant!

[@dustyayer8569]

I thought of another similar film that very much relates to your 3 horses interpretation about Michael taking his own path, as opposed to Arthur’s or Tru North’s paths. It is another legal thriller - The Firm (directed by Sydney Pollock I believe who is in M. Clayton!) In The Firm, character Mitch Mcdeere (Tom Cruise) also has 3 paths before him - that of the FBIs in which he’ll “do the right thing” but lose his license. Or the firm’s way which is lucrative but unethical. Or his OWN way where he can keep his license to practice law, appease the FBI, and come out with a clean conscience. Like Michael Clayton, he chooses his own way.

[@RWSCOTT]

very cool! I need to rewatch that one.

[@onastick2411]

I think the port they were trying to bomb in Top Gun Maverick, was actually the ventilation shaft of the The Firm's offices, he took the fourth way.

[@Diamondmind50Blogspot]

That is a perfectly explained part of that movie I would have never figured that out... THANK YOU!! I love this movie. To 98 other people it would be boring

[@cgautreau1]

i often get frustrated at my inability, even as a writer, to identify the symbolism you so eloquently point out. i looked for meaning in the scene when Arthur buys all the bread. I think it fits with your analysis of being childish. but it also fit with what I saw as a Christ-like figure, feeding the hungry in his own weird way only to be sacrificed later.

[@RWSCOTT]

thanks for watching! I don't think the buying bread is childish... impulsive, tho. I didn't even think of Christ, there. Good call. Re: symbolism & writing, I don't think any of this stuff is intentional.. it comes from the unconscious & often we don't know when we're doing it. In that way, we find out who we are by writing. It happened to me when I was writing my book. Things I didn't even know I believed were coming out of my writing, often confounding me.

[@cgautreau1]

@@RWSCOTT Much respect for you. I've written lots of books. I just never finished any of them.

[@RWSCOTT]

@@cgautreau1 well- just short stories. I've never been much at longform writing. and tbh, I still need to edit it one last time. as for your books, it's never too late, right?

[@cgautreau1]

@@RWSCOTT One more observation - Arthur as a study in perception of reality. He's medicated to say sane. It's only when he stops taking his meds and becomes irrational that he's finally able to accept the truth that UNorth is killing people.

[@RWSCOTT]

@@cgautreau1 yah, the meds are a prop in his working reality tunnel. when he steps out of that, he's capable of seeing how he's fallen, contrasted against Anna's purity & truth, she's devoid of b.s. or guile.

[@stevenlewis8782]

On my reading, the 3 horses represent 3 of the 4 horsemen of the apocalypse. War, pestilence, famine. He is the fourth horseman. Death. In addition, Arthur the name is a reference to a King Arthur type figure. Great video.

[@RWSCOTT]

Interesting take on the horses. I was going to include a bit where I talked about Arthur referencing King Arthur.. but my conclusion, looking at the details of the myth, was that it didn't line up with Arthur's character in a meaningful way, really more a surface text reference... so I skipped it.

[@dancote-rosen7827]

Rob, thank you, I feel grateful to have found your video and think this is a movie that could withstand so many hours of analysis. I am with you on everything, though I have a question for you that I have a theory about but would love to get your opinion on (and will happily share mine if you’d be so kind as to respond). When Michael is heading out to deal with Walter and the nav goes out in his Benz, do you think that holds any significance greater than his life is kind of “on the fritz”? Thanks again and certainly no need to respond but would love your take on it because I don’t feel like Mr. Gilroy would have included it for no reason.

[@RWSCOTT]

Thanks, Dan. I appreciate the compliment & the question & I'm genuinely jazzed that this film is regarded as something of a new classic by a niche of viewers like yourself. So, I think the fact that he's forced to rely on his own sense of direction is important, connecting to the idea of being present, but also metaphorically, his moral/ethical direction... esp. considering the character of the client he was seeing. I think he's realizing he's in that no man's land that Henry describes at the beginning of the film. What's your take on it?

[@dancote-rosen7827]

@@RWSCOTT I didn’t think of it that way before, Rob, and I think your theory is probably correct. My thinking was more along the lines of his reliance on not just technology but specifically on being one of the “1%” in New York and having been able to abandon the hard-scrabbled roots of his past that made him great at his previous roles and that made him so close to his siblings (esp. the relationship with his cop brother) and now an indication that that the stuff he used to rely on (instincts) was gone and the new stuff (gps / tech) was failing him too, so he was just down to himself and I took him until the final scene to realize that’s all he had. Poor explanation I know but hopefully you know what I’m trying to say here!

[@anthonyguidice2655]

Hey! There's an American who posts on KZbin and is actually thoughtful and can speak proper English! It's cold here in western New York but is hell freezing over?

[@stephendouglas4343]

These scenes were recorded ten minutes from me

[@RWSCOTT]

I grew up in Westchester, some of the locations (like the country road) looked to me like Scarborough or Briarcliff Manor.

[@stephendouglas4343]

@@RWSCOTT I am in Orange County Sir.

[@harlhequim]

Kind of overthinking the interpretation of the 3 horses. Also, if Karen were a sociopath the scene where shes having so much trouble preparing for the presentation and the stress shown wouldn't have been included. The 3 horses scene indeed is a pont if inflection in his life but could have been interpreted in many ither ways.