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Welcome to "Cinema Herald". My aim is to bring movie reviews to a somewhat different level. I don't know about you guys but I'm sick and tired of Critics who dissect a movie to bits. Who cares about all that deep stuff, sometimes you just want to know if you'll be entertained or not. Is it worth me spending $10? Now don't get me wrong, sometimes when we watch a movie, it does require us to put on our thinking caps and I'll do that from time to time depending on the film I review but for the most part, I just want to know if I'm going to have a laugh or a cry or even crap my pants - in other words, will it take my mind off the fact that I'm broke and my rent is due for a few hours? Movies are a public service...they are to help us escape for a few hours and forget that we're overworked and under paid.

Review: The American (2010)

September 15th 2010 07:16
Category: Drama
Rating: **** 4/5 stars

The American is beautifully shot, very quiet, atmospheric, a very European movie with little to no music, only the subtle sounds of the action that's taking place - some have said it's boring and not much is happening. I found it highly charged and quite often very tense, so much so at times, that it was maddening for me but not in a bad way - I kept expecting something and the silence of the film only helps bolster the tension.

I wouldn't call this movie boring by a long shot but I would imagine its deliberate pacing put you in an edgy frame of mind to experience the life of an assassin. It's not all about
the hunt or chase scenes, running through the crowded streets with a gun in hand seeking to take out the enemy, it's a more skilled profession - about fine tuning the senses, taking in everyone and familiarizing oneself with their surroundings, following instincts, questioning everything and everyone, and sometimes second guessing, especially when you discover that you are a target. "There is no rest for the weary" and such is the case for Jack/Edward (George Clooney).

George Clooney takes his usual charm down a notch as a wary assassin and aside from his looks he is completely
Thekla Rheuten as Mathilda
unrecognizable here. He barely has anything to say, it's all in the piercing stare, or even the rare smile when he eventually drops his guard after falling in love with Clara (Violante Placido). The film opens with a cabin in the woods, Jack is with his lover but they are not alone, someone lurks outside - waiting to strike. In the morning during a leisurely stroll he is targeted by a sniper. After he dispenses with the gunman, he instructs his panicked companion to run and call the police and just as she turns to do his bidding he puts a bullet in her head.

He flees to Rome where his associate, Pavel (John Leysen)
Paolo Bonacelli as Father Benedetto
tells him he cannot stay. Pavel provides him with a mobile phone, which he later throws out a window, and instructs him to go to Castelvecchio to await further instructions. While there Jack settles in - he exercises, he drinks coffee at the cafe, he reads books about butterflies, and he assembles a gun based on specifications provided by Mathilde. Mathilda is his next assignment from Pavel. She requests a specific design of a gun that she needs for an assassination. During his down time, he befriends an elderly priest, Father Benedetto (Paolo Bonacelli) who sees through his charade and he also
Violante Placido as Clara
becomes involved with Clara, the local prostitute. When there is another attempt on his life his suspicions are on edge but by this time his life has taken an unexpected change. His carefully guarded wall has fallen when his involvement with Clara becomes serious. Love can be a fatal flaw for the Samurai and once it happens to Jack, his perspective changes, his life changes, and he changes. Father Benedetto spoke to him about repentance but repentance doesn't come without love.

John Leysen as Pavel


The American is a riveting film by Dutch Director Anton Corbijn (Control). He makes an engrossing film using
very little dialogue and high end action sequences and instead he uses slow pans, quiet establishing shots, and characters whether in the background or the leads who sit quietly doing almost nothing, like reading a newspaper, sleeping, etc. only Jack seems to be constantly in motion even when visually he's not doing anything but you get the feeling that there is a lot going on, he's constantly on guard, working, thinking, planning, watching and through his paranoia you get the sense that things are closing in even when when they're not.

I love movies like this - movies that slowly draw you in, I agree it's not for everyone but I found it worth my time and all I can say about Clooney is that he was great as Jack/Edward along with the rest of the cast who projected so much with so little to work with.


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7 Comments. [ Add A Comment ]

Comment by ShaunK

September 15th 2010 13:03


Screen Adventure
I'm jealous - I've waiting long and hard to see this!!

Cant wait!!

Comment by Deni

September 15th 2010 14:34


Abstract Magick
Cinema Herald
Hey Shaun, I hope you like it.

Comment by JohnDoe

September 15th 2010 21:50


Film & TV on DVD
I'm one of those who is not so much a Clooney fan, but a fan of Clooney films. He just chooses fantastic material consistently.

Didn't read the review because I haven't seen the film yet but I get the impression you enjoyed it.

The impression I get is The American does for espionage thrillers what Michael Clayton did for John Grisham lawyer fluff.

Comment by Matt Shea

September 15th 2010 23:04


20/20 Filmsight
I'm one of those who is not so much a Clooney fan, but a fan of Clooney films.

Ditto. Plenty of peeps have been quite reserved in their praise of this, but I'm still eager to check it out. Your review makes the wait just that little bit harder, Deni.

Comment by Deni

September 15th 2010 23:28


Abstract Magick
Cinema Herald
Hey guys, I look forward to reading what you both have to say about this film.





Comment by David O'Connell

September 16th 2010 04:49


Screen Fanatic
Damn Deni - I'm also very jealous, this is another much anticipated film for me too. I don't think it's arriving here much before Christmas so we're going to have to suffer in silence a little while longer! Thanks for whetting the appetite with your review!

Comment by Bryn

October 20th 2010 06:43


Horrorphile
Strange choice as a second feature for Corbijn. This is about as removed a subject and genre as I would have thought considering his background, but perhaps that's exactly why he chose to do it. Perhaps he'll do an expressionist horror next. That would be exciting!

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