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September 11, 2026Short & citedBlog
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Screen & Stage • Film

The Lincoln Lawyer (film)

The Lincoln Lawyer is a 2011 American legal thriller film directed by Brad Furman and based on Michael Connelly’s 2005 novel of the same name.

Updated September 11, 20261 min readCited sources

The Lincoln Lawyer is a 2011 legal thriller starring Matthew McConaughey as a defence lawyer who runs his practice from the back seat of a Lincoln Town Car. The film adapts Michael Connelly's novel and was a box-office success, later spawning a Netflix TV series.

What it is

Mickey Haller, a Los Angeles criminal defence lawyer, operates out of his chauffeured Lincoln sedan. He takes on a wealthy client accused of a violent crime, but the case quickly unravels into a web of past crimes and moral dilemmas. The film keeps a tight focus on Haller's courtroom tactics and street-level investigation.

Key details

Directed by Brad Furman from a screenplay by John Romano, the film was released on March 18, 2011, by Lionsgate. The ensemble cast includes Ryan Phillippe, Marisa Tomei, Josh Lucas, John Leguizamo, William H. Macy, and Bryan Cranston. It is based on Michael Connelly's 2005 novel, which remains a bestseller in Canada and worldwide.

Why it matters

The film launched a franchise: a 2022 Netflix series continues Mickey Haller's story, and the 2011 movie remains a touchstone for legal thrillers. For Canadian audiences, it's a widely available Hollywood release that connects to Connelly's broader crime-fiction universe, often found in bookstores and streaming libraries across the country.

In short

  • Matthew McConaughey plays Mickey Haller, a lawyer who works from his Lincoln Town Car.
  • The film is based on Michael Connelly's 2005 novel of the same name.
  • Released March 18, 2011, by Lionsgate; directed by Brad Furman.
  • A Netflix TV series adaptation premiered in 2022.
Canadian angle

The film is relevant to Canadian readers as a widely distributed English-language Hollywood release and as part of Michael Connelly’s internationally read crime-fiction franchise.

Quick questions

Is The Lincoln Lawyer a true story?
No. It is adapted from Michael Connelly's 2005 thriller novel, a work of fiction.
Where was The Lincoln Lawyer filmed?
The film was shot primarily in Los Angeles, California, to match the novel's setting.
Can I watch The Lincoln Lawyer in Canada?
Yes. The film is available through major streaming services, digital rentals, and physical media in Canada.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lincoln_Lawyer_(film)
    Supports: Director, screenplay, cast, release date, and adaptation from Michael Connelly’s novel.
  2. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1189340/plotsummary/
    Supports: Plot summary describing Mickey Haller’s case.
  3. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lincoln_Lawyer
    Supports: Original novel and later television-series adaptation.