It is hard to not enjoy a film, which uses ‘Ain’t No Love In The Heart Of The City’ by Bobby ‘Blue’ Bland in the starting titles.  The song sets a high bar and the film clears it-something of a feat considering it stars Matthew (Mahogany) McConaughey.  This is definitely worth a second look and if you have not seen it before, translates well on to the small screen.

The beginning of the film finds Mick Haller (McConaughey) go about his business and is there to very quickly determine our impressions of the main characters.  Haller is sharp, businesslike and comfortable with complexity and with getting the most for himself.  We see him interact with clients (Ryan Phillippe), colleagues (William H. Macy, Laurence Mason), his ex-wife (Marisa Tomei) and associates and we can understand this man has a past.

At this point it is difficult to see what critical incident has brought us as an audience to this story, but stick with it and the film becomes more and more rewarding and sufficiently enticing to the unfolding future.

What makes this film a good way to spend 118 minutes of your life is the heady formula of a good story translated well from Michael Connelly’s novel for the big screen by John Romano and directed with respect for the story, the actors and the audience by Director Brad Furman.  I have not seen any of Furman’s previous work with the exception of Erin Brockovich (2000) for which he is listed as an Assistant, but I will be keeping a closer eye having seen this.

This is an easy Blu-ray to recommend.  Buy it because there is always going to be a point in your life when you fancy watching a film that is at the same time quite clever, easy on the eye, nicely delivered by all involved and a vindication for enjoying McConaughey in action.

[Rating:4/5]