Not a Full-Fledged Hit
Jack (George Clooney) has a past. There are men chasing him that would like nothing better than to end his life. Jack can’t have a conscious or it will have him end up dead. As he runs, he hooks up with a man whom he can trust. This man may be able to tell Jack who is chasing him, why, and help him to hide out.
As he finds his own way into the Italian landscape, Jack decides that there is only one person he can trust, himself. When he is approached about taking another job, he agrees though it doesn’t take long for him to insist that this will be his last.
Not only does Jack have a past, on the job front, but he has other issues that he is dealing with. He does not have a number of close relationships as he isn’t allowed to let people in with his lifestyle. Those who are allowed in, the Priest (Paolo Bonacelli) and Clara (Violante Placido) are always kept at arm’s length with skepticism overwhelming all else. Will this distraught man be able to put his focus on his work, and finish what might be his last job?
While this movie starts with an incredibly taught suspense filled sequence, it is not a Bourne film. My first recommendation, do not anticipate action-laced scenes. This is a subdued, character-study of Jack and what makes him tick.
George Clooney is the perfect acting choice for Jack. He can do more with a glance, a look and a motion than most actors can do with skillfully crafted dialogue. He drives this character study dipping in and out of the journey towards the potential last job.
The rest of the cast is virtually unknown to most American audiences, as the setting in Italy takes advantage of a number of unique cast members. From the mysterious Clara (Violante Placido) to the tough Priest (Paolo Bonacelli) the team has found some solid actors to surround Clooney with.
Where it misses is at times it gets a little too focused on the study and not enough meat to keep the audience involved. Although at times it can be a bit tedious to watch, the Clooney character makes the examination that is this film work overall.
Although not an action laced spectacle, The American will keep adult audiences interested enough in what is happening to Jack. The Italian countryside makes for a beautiful backdrop for this examination into the head of one American. The American is a decent look into the mind of an assassin, but stops short of being a full-fledged hit.
B-
The American
Focus Features
Director: Anton Corbijn
Cast: George Clooney, Violante Placido, Paolo Bonacelli
Rating: R for violence, sexual content and nudity.
Runtime: 103 minutes.
Jack (George Clooney) has a past. There are men chasing him that would like nothing better than to end his life. Jack can’t have a conscious or it will have him end up dead. As he runs, he hooks up with a man whom he can trust. This man may be able to tell Jack who is chasing him, why, and help him to hide out.
As he finds his own way into the Italian landscape, Jack decides that there is only one person he can trust, himself. When he is approached about taking another job, he agrees though it doesn’t take long for him to insist that this will be his last.
Not only does Jack have a past, on the job front, but he has other issues that he is dealing with. He does not have a number of close relationships as he isn’t allowed to let people in with his lifestyle. Those who are allowed in, the Priest (Paolo Bonacelli) and Clara (Violante Placido) are always kept at arm’s length with skepticism overwhelming all else. Will this distraught man be able to put his focus on his work, and finish what might be his last job?
While this movie starts with an incredibly taught suspense filled sequence, it is not a Bourne film. My first recommendation, do not anticipate action-laced scenes. This is a subdued, character-study of Jack and what makes him tick.
George Clooney is the perfect acting choice for Jack. He can do more with a glance, a look and a motion than most actors can do with skillfully crafted dialogue. He drives this character study dipping in and out of the journey towards the potential last job.
The rest of the cast is virtually unknown to most American audiences, as the setting in Italy takes advantage of a number of unique cast members. From the mysterious Clara (Violante Placido) to the tough Priest (Paolo Bonacelli) the team has found some solid actors to surround Clooney with.
Where it misses is at times it gets a little too focused on the study and not enough meat to keep the audience involved. Although at times it can be a bit tedious to watch, the Clooney character makes the examination that is this film work overall.
Although not an action laced spectacle, The American will keep adult audiences interested enough in what is happening to Jack. The Italian countryside makes for a beautiful backdrop for this examination into the head of one American. The American is a decent look into the mind of an assassin, but stops short of being a full-fledged hit.
B-
The American
Focus Features
Director: Anton Corbijn
Cast: George Clooney, Violante Placido, Paolo Bonacelli
Rating: R for violence, sexual content and nudity.
Runtime: 103 minutes.
0 comments:
Post a Comment
Note: only a member of this blog may post a comment.