Michael Clayton
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  • Continuity: When Michael Clayton spots Arthur Edens in the back alley, we see Arthur carrying a bag of bread. In the beginning of the conversation, one bread in the middle is missing its top, which apparently may have been eaten. In the following shots, we see the same bread full, without the missing top.

  • Incorrectly regarded as goofs: It is stated that Michael started with the firm in 1990, and has been with them for 17 years, making the year 2007 as expected. His birthday is also described as being in 1959, but at another point while speaking to Marty he reflects on his state in life and claims to be 45 years old - he should be 47 or 48. He may, however, be exaggerating his youth.

  • Continuity: When Clayton is in Arthur's loft and he picks up the red book from the coffee table, you can clearly see the folded slip of paper sticking out from the bottom. A moment later, as he's flipping through the book, he almost doesn't see the paper because it's all the way inside.

  • Crew or equipment visible: When Michael Clayton asks Marty for a loan, a crew member can be seen in the reflection of a wooden door over Michael's left shoulder. The crew member moves back and forth during the scene, making it clear it's not one of the actors, who are standing completely still.

  • Continuity: When Michael and Marty are having the conversation in Marty's home, the glass doors on the bookcase behind Marty change positions numerous times during the scene; probably to avoid reflecting the camera and crew in the glass with each new camera position.

  • Continuity: In the early part of the film, during a drive in Manhattan, a tree can clearly be seen in vivid bloom, which occurs in Spring. However, the rest of the scenes take place in a Christmas Season time frame, evidenced by the numerous shots with lit trees, and decorations. As well, the grass is dead in most rural New York scenes, and actors' breath is clearly visible, once again suggesting late Autumn, or early winter.

  • Continuity: At the end when Michael hails a yellow cab, directly behind it is a silver SUV. The shot then cuts to the interior of the cab and the vehicle behind has changed to another yellow cab.

  • Errors made by characters (possibly deliberate errors by the filmmakers): Arthur says "I am Shiva, The God of Death". Shiva is a Hindu God, but not of Death. Shiva is the destroyer or transformer. Yama, is the God of Death.

  • Continuity: When Clayton first gets the booklet from the print shop, it has a black plastic binding. Later it changes to a wire one.

  • Continuity: Michael complains of being unable to locate or contact his brother Timmy, but after his car blows up, and without a cell phone, he is able to get Timmy to come pick him up that morning.

>>> WARNING: Here Be Spoilers <<<

Goofs below here contain information that may give away important plot points. You may not want to read any further if you've not already seen this title.

  • Continuity: SPOILER: During the conversation between Karen Crowder and Mr. Verne, in which she authorizes Verne to take action against Clayton, her left coat collar switches back and forth from being turned up to laying down between her over-the-shoulder and frontal shots.

  • Continuity: SPOILER: The second time that Memorandum 229 is shown (when Karen brings it to Marty Bach), it is signed "Don Jeffries", but in all other shots it is signed "Donald Jeffries"


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