“The American” Film Review
George Clooney is the American
4 Stars
As featured in: The Ithacan
As Batman George Clooney was laughable, as the American, he’s no joker. Dark and brooding from the get-go “The American” is a film with sparse action, but plenty of burning passion. Anton Corbijn, famous for directing music videos such as Nirvana’s “Heart Shaped Box” helms the picture. Adapted from the 1990 novel “A Very Private Gentleman” the film takes place during the 2000s.
Remarkably original for a film whose trailers marketed it as a gray haired Jason Bourne flick, the plot simmers over a long period of time, gradually building tension, momentum and intrigue. One of the many things to savor in this film is its distinctly non-American feel. From the minimalistic dialogue, wandering, free flowing camera and sparsely populated locations “The American” mirrors European cinema to a tee. It’s only logical that the film takes place in Europe with stops in Castel del Monte, Italy, Rome, Italy and Dalarna, Sweden.
It’s hard to say what’s more breathtaking, the Italian Alps or the luscious women sprinkled throughout, but few films have as strong a visual presence. Terrifically framed, each shot demands attention. Most noteworthy is the lighting that brings to life the medieval village of Castel del Monte. The village’s buildings show their age, the streets their character, all thanks to the lighting. The village is as much a character in “The American” as Jack (George Clooney) himself. Because of the somber mood it sets it’s hard to imagine a better setting for the story.
The editing leaves something to be desired though. It is the weakest link in a film full of pluses for a variety of reasons. Unlike how the framing leads the audience’s eye to important clues in the story, the editing reveals little. In fact several shots linger to the point of exacerbation on behalf of the audience. Unlike the tautness found in the cinematography the film’s progression is nearly halted to a complete stop because of this issue. And the score cannot be forgotten. Its beauty is only rivaled by the camera work and the smooth pulse of the music gets blood flowing in your veins.
And blood seems to flow slowly through Jack a man who rarely shows any semblance of a soul. He's an aging assassin who doesn’t talk much. Cold blooded with only a sliver of human consciousness he lives to kill. In fact he sees no reason to stop until Clara (Violante Placido), a girl to gorgeous to be a hooker, but nonetheless is, captures his eye. Stuck between a rock and a hard place Jack must make a life changing decision. Indeed Clooney’s finest acting in the film comes along with the onset of this sexy romance.
Though Clooney shines brighter than any other actor onscreen, another performance is worthy of acclaim. That actor is Paolo Bonacelli, a native of Rome, Italy who plays Father Benedetto. Serving as a self-imposed mentor to Jack, Father Benedetto brings as much mystery as he does advice to the film.
The biggest mistake “The American” makes isn’t even contained in the picture itself, but rather in its marketing campaign. Those audience members expecting blood spilling, hair-raising action will be miffed. Don’t get the wrong idea though because “The American” does have a quality chase scene and a handful of loaded semi-automatic weapons. Some will argue that they aren’t put to enough use, yet quality storytelling trumps random gun battles any day of the week.
So before you declare the summer movie season over and done with go ahead and treat yourself to “The American”. Perhaps you might find yourself along the way.
“The American” was directed by Anton Corbijn from a screenplay written by Rowan Joffe based on the novel “A Very Private Gentleman” by Martin Booth.
©2011 Matthew R. Reis, All rights reserved.
4 Stars
As featured in: The Ithacan
As Batman George Clooney was laughable, as the American, he’s no joker. Dark and brooding from the get-go “The American” is a film with sparse action, but plenty of burning passion. Anton Corbijn, famous for directing music videos such as Nirvana’s “Heart Shaped Box” helms the picture. Adapted from the 1990 novel “A Very Private Gentleman” the film takes place during the 2000s.
Remarkably original for a film whose trailers marketed it as a gray haired Jason Bourne flick, the plot simmers over a long period of time, gradually building tension, momentum and intrigue. One of the many things to savor in this film is its distinctly non-American feel. From the minimalistic dialogue, wandering, free flowing camera and sparsely populated locations “The American” mirrors European cinema to a tee. It’s only logical that the film takes place in Europe with stops in Castel del Monte, Italy, Rome, Italy and Dalarna, Sweden.
It’s hard to say what’s more breathtaking, the Italian Alps or the luscious women sprinkled throughout, but few films have as strong a visual presence. Terrifically framed, each shot demands attention. Most noteworthy is the lighting that brings to life the medieval village of Castel del Monte. The village’s buildings show their age, the streets their character, all thanks to the lighting. The village is as much a character in “The American” as Jack (George Clooney) himself. Because of the somber mood it sets it’s hard to imagine a better setting for the story.
The editing leaves something to be desired though. It is the weakest link in a film full of pluses for a variety of reasons. Unlike how the framing leads the audience’s eye to important clues in the story, the editing reveals little. In fact several shots linger to the point of exacerbation on behalf of the audience. Unlike the tautness found in the cinematography the film’s progression is nearly halted to a complete stop because of this issue. And the score cannot be forgotten. Its beauty is only rivaled by the camera work and the smooth pulse of the music gets blood flowing in your veins.
And blood seems to flow slowly through Jack a man who rarely shows any semblance of a soul. He's an aging assassin who doesn’t talk much. Cold blooded with only a sliver of human consciousness he lives to kill. In fact he sees no reason to stop until Clara (Violante Placido), a girl to gorgeous to be a hooker, but nonetheless is, captures his eye. Stuck between a rock and a hard place Jack must make a life changing decision. Indeed Clooney’s finest acting in the film comes along with the onset of this sexy romance.
Though Clooney shines brighter than any other actor onscreen, another performance is worthy of acclaim. That actor is Paolo Bonacelli, a native of Rome, Italy who plays Father Benedetto. Serving as a self-imposed mentor to Jack, Father Benedetto brings as much mystery as he does advice to the film.
The biggest mistake “The American” makes isn’t even contained in the picture itself, but rather in its marketing campaign. Those audience members expecting blood spilling, hair-raising action will be miffed. Don’t get the wrong idea though because “The American” does have a quality chase scene and a handful of loaded semi-automatic weapons. Some will argue that they aren’t put to enough use, yet quality storytelling trumps random gun battles any day of the week.
So before you declare the summer movie season over and done with go ahead and treat yourself to “The American”. Perhaps you might find yourself along the way.
“The American” was directed by Anton Corbijn from a screenplay written by Rowan Joffe based on the novel “A Very Private Gentleman” by Martin Booth.
©2011 Matthew R. Reis, All rights reserved.
Great review! Can't wait to see the movie.
ReplyDelete