TV SERIES REVIEW
THE LINCOLN LAWYER
Rated TV-MA
60 Minute TV Series
The first episode was released on May 13, 2022
Three complete seasons of 10 episodes each, streaming on Netflix
The Netflix series, The Lincoln Lawyer, is based on seven novels written between 2005 and 2023 by prolific author Michael Connelly, that feature a defense lawyer, “Mickey Haller,” who works out of the back of his Lincoln Town Car. The superb film The Lincoln Lawyer (2011) starring Matthew McConaughey, was also based on this character. The New York Times wrote of Connelly’s first novel featuring Haller, that the writer had achieved an excellent legal thriller on his first try, and “delivers a powerhouse drama fueled by cynicism…” Connelly had done his homework though, prior to sitting down to write.
He had based his lawyer on a real-life attorney, David Ogden, who worked out of his car and had died in 2020, and on a Florida-based attorney named Dan Daly, whom Connelly had worked with years ago when he was a reporter in Tampa. Connelly used to join Daly and his attorney friends for cocktails at the end of their day in court and listen to their “war stories.” Daly says of Connelly, “What I am most impressed by is how accurately Mickey describes why defense lawyers do what we do.”
Add to the mix a legendary writer/ producer/ creator/ showrunner named David E. Kelley, a former attorney himself, who has given us some of the best in television history over the years, from 1986 on, including LA Law, Ally McBeal, The Practice, Boston Legal and Goliath, and the result is a beautifully crafted TV series called The Lincoln Lawyer, now in its third season. The main character, Haller, is a defense lawyer in Los Angeles, who grew up part-time in LA and part-time with his mother in Mexico. Hence the casting of talented and magnetic Mexican actor Manuel Garcia-Rulfo as Haller.
Garcia-Rulfo was born in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, and grew up on a ranch there, spending a lot of time on horseback. Once he decided to be an actor, he studied at the New York Film Academy and spent time in Vermont perfecting his English, so his American accent is very precise, with a hint of Mexican inflection, and works perfectly for the character. Garcia Rulfo has appeared in TV and films, including The Magnificent Seven (2016) and Murder on the Orient Express (2017).
The whole cast of this series is extraordinary. Becki Newton, as “Lorna,” goes through a transformation throughout the episodes. Allyn Moriyon, in his TV debut as “Eddie Rojas,” establishes himself as a hugely charismatic actor. Angus Sampson, Jazz Raycole, Yaya Da Costa, and others all create nuanced and subtle performances for characters that we want to follow. Lorna’s bright wardrobe choices are “anti- attorney’s office” and show her true rebellious spirit while emanating professionalism. She is both “girlie” and extremely intelligent, and as her status evolves, her looks transform.
Another star of this series is the greater Los Angeles backdrop. The skilled work of the cinematographers and directors provides gorgeous, beautifully lit views of the fascinating and real landscapes, streetscapes, stores, restaurants, and dives that become as much a star of the show as their human counterparts. The restaurant scenes are set in real establishments, and there are many. Mickey enjoys his food.
According to Mickey, the jury is the “Gods of Guilt,” but in this series, the phrase also applies to the people around you who keep you honest and accountable. This concept guides Mickey to always do what’s right in the end. The story keeps you on edge, never really knowing who is on the good side or the bad side of your main characters. It’s a great whodunit and the writers always create 2-3 possibilities of how the plot may untangle. The characters are so well fleshed out that it’s fun to try to figure out who had been driven to complete an action and why.
You will be missing part of the art of this series if you watch it on a desktop, laptop, or phone. This show is absolutely feature-film quality, from the camera work to the settings, locations, lighting, wardrobe, makeup, down to every detail. Try to watch it on the biggest TV screen available if you can.
Kathryn Whitney Boole has spent most of her life in the entertainment industry, which has been the backdrop for remarkable adventures with extraordinary people. She is a Talent Manager with Studio Talent Group in Santa Monica. kboole@gmail.com
