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Author Michael Connelly created a series of novels surrounding an unconventional attorney. The first book in that series. "The Lincoln Lawyer," is now a new movie that stars Matthew McConaughey.

McConaughey is Haller, an Los Angeles lawyer whose office is his Lincoln Town Car. He is always looking for quick cash and represents the types of unsavory clients that some attorneys won't touch.

His latest case involves a very wealthy Beverly Hills playboy, Louis Roulet, who is played by Ryan Phillippe. Louis is being charged with the rape and attempted murder of a hooker. Haller believes his client's cries of innocence and thinks this is going to be a big payday for him.

As the story unfolds, though, Haller suspects that all is not what it appears to be. One of the questions is whether Louis is innocent or is just setting Haller up.

McConaughey does a nice job here and he makes the character fun to watch. He is one part hustler, but also has a conscience.

I was never a fan of Phillippe, but he manages to get the job done here. There's also some nice supporting performances from Marisa Tomei and William H. Macy.

I can see this being spun off into a television series, with McConaughey's chauffeur's role being expanded, providing valuable clues to his boss. Television executives take note!

Even though it doesn't break any new ground, "The Lincoln Lawyer" is an intelligent mystery. There are a few twists and turns, some of which you will see coming. But in a season of dumbed-down films, it was refreshing to be engaged in a courtroom crime thriller that, for a change, made some sense.

Neil Rosen's Big Apple Rating: 3 Apples