McConaughey plays Mickey Haller, called "the Lincoln Lawyer" (in the title -- nobody calls him that in the film) because he operates out of a black Lincoln, with a chauffeur at the wheel ever since he had his driver's license suspended. He specializes in defending low-level criminals -- a gang of weed-growing bikers are regular clients, as is a prostitute -- but he'll drop everything to defend a rich kid from a respectable family against battery charges if he thinks the payday is big enough. Ryan Phillippe plays the defendant, Louis Roulet, who swears his innocence up and down but still seems guilty, because Ryan Phillippe always looks guilty of something. And sure enough, it quickly -- very quickly -- becomes clear that Roulet is exactly what he appears, and that this isn't the first time Haller's seen his handiwork. Which leaves the second half of the film in a very odd position, as Haller and Roulet are at open odds with each other even as Haller defends him in court. It doesn't really make sense, but everything is wrapped up in a neat bow by the end, and that's all you want from a beach-read movie like this, right?

A great (and sizable) supporting cast helps make the simplistic story fun to follow -- William H. Macy plays Haller's investigator and drinking buddy, who tells Haller that the kid "doesn't feel right," and Marisa Tomei plays Haller's prosecutor ex, who still has the hots for her baby's daddy, but also still hates that he's putting criminals back on the streets. Frances Fisher plays Roulet's mom, Bob Gunton plays the family lawyer, Josh Lucas plays the prosecutor, Michael Pena plays an old client of Haller's and John Leguizamo plays an opportunistic bail bondsman. Plus there are three cops who circle the case played by Bryan Cranston, the artist lady from Bones and Eddie from Eddie and the Cruisers. You just can't beat casting that eclectic. Something for everybody!

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