Michael Clayton

Michael Clayton

From Why Theory by Why Theory

June 7, 2026 · 1h 15m

About this episode

Ryan and Todd discuss the political thriller Michael Clayton and its narrative and formal elements.

On this episode, Ryan and Todd cover writer-director Tony Gilroy's 2007 political thriller masterpiece, Michael Clayton . The hosts weave in Sartre's notion of committing oneself to a project from the previous episode and work through the narrative and formal elements that make Michael Clayton 's intervention exceptional for Hollywood film.

People in this episode

Hosts: Ryan, Todd

Topics covered

  • political thriller
  • narrative elements
  • Hollywood film
  • Sartre
  • Tony Gilroy
  • Michael Clayton

Keywords

  • Michael Clayton
  • Tony Gilroy
  • political thriller
  • Sartre
  • Hollywood film
  • narrative

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Michael Clayton

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