Clooney for the defense

George Clooney scooped up an Oscar for the 2005 drama "Syriana." This year, he might have helped a fellow actor nab a nomination.

Clooney stars in "Michael Clayton," a new legal drama which opens wide across the country tomorrow. Clayton is a fixer, a guy who helps his prestigious law firm "fix" problems that arise with clients and fellow litigators. "In the Bedroom's" Tom Wilkinson co-stars as a firm member who goes off his meds and threatens to harm the firm with his antics. Clayton is assigned to bring Wilkinson's character back into the fold, but in doing so finds his own conscience needs repair.

"Michael Clayton" isn't your average legal thriller. First-time director Tony Gilroy (who wrote the "Bourne" pics) arranges the narrative in a fresh, provocative way so it feels like a new genre. And Wilkinson is terrific as the addled lawer, a role which will surely turn the heads of Oscar voters. Sydney Pollack, who is assembling a sturdy career as a character actor as his directorial projects wane, is nearly as good as a senior law partner. "Michael Clayton" has a generic title, a great ad campaign - "The truth can be adjusted" - and top-flight execution all around. Check out the trailer for yourself (photo: Tom Wilkinson, left, argues with George Clooney over prescription pills)