Director:Anton Corbijn
Stars: George Clooney, Paolo Bonacelli and Violante Placido
Genre: Action/Drama/Thriller
MPAA Rating: R
Running Time: 110 Mins
The American tells the story of a private man named Jack (also goes by the name of Edward) the audience never really gets to see the true nature of the character, all we know is he is dedicated to building weapons for high paying assassins. Aside building them, he at times even has to pull the trigger for his assignments. Residing in Rome, he takes the assignment to build a long distance Rugger Mini-14 Custom. While constructing the weapon for his client, we see Jack/Edward walk around Rome, mostly paranoid, worried that his past will come back to haunt him. The only “friend” he makes in his stay is a nosey priest named Father Benedetto; who is interested in the private life of Jack. The scenes with the priest and Jack are perhaps the most entertaining. You get to see two different aspects of life, one from the prospective of a man dedicated to God, the other dedicated to abandonment, isolation, and murder.
Stars: George Clooney, Paolo Bonacelli and Violante Placido
Genre: Action/Drama/Thriller
MPAA Rating: R
Running Time: 110 Mins
I can understand why most people didn’t like The American. The biggest problem this film faced upon release was the advertisement; presented as the next Bourne or Bond film. After viewing the film, it’s very obvious that it has a completely different tone to most recent action/espionage films. So if you’re thinking of obtaining or renting the film expecting an action/adventure extravaganza, then you will be gravely disappointed. The film’s tone is more of a European Spy Thriller, with an independent filmmaking approach. Had the film been advertised differently, then perhaps the box office gross wouldn’t have been affected as much.
The American tells the story of a private man named Jack (also goes by the name of Edward) the audience never really gets to see the true nature of the character, all we know is he is dedicated to building weapons for high paying assassins. Aside building them, he at times even has to pull the trigger for his assignments. Residing in Rome, he takes the assignment to build a long distance Rugger Mini-14 Custom. While constructing the weapon for his client, we see Jack/Edward walk around Rome, mostly paranoid, worried that his past will come back to haunt him. The only “friend” he makes in his stay is a nosey priest named Father Benedetto; who is interested in the private life of Jack. The scenes with the priest and Jack are perhaps the most entertaining. You get to see two different aspects of life, one from the prospective of a man dedicated to God, the other dedicated to abandonment, isolation, and murder. 
Aside the priest, he meets Clara; a prostitute who falls in love with Jack/Edward. They both begin a troubling relationship, that as the film progresses, you hope it will last. By troubling I refer to the fact that Jack doesn’t trust anyone, he even believes at one point that Clara might be the one who is hired to take him out. Evidently, she isn’t involved; she is actually genuinely interested in him. So thorough the film we explore the mind of an assassin who is trying to abandon his past, and start anew…but as mentioned, with part debts, and mistrust makes it all that more difficult for him. Lastly, I will like to mention, that I highly recommend this movie to anyone interested in a well-developed plot driven film. Yes, the film may have a slow pace and perhaps even predictable plot, but thanks to the director’s style and magnificent European landscapes, the film succeeds where others fail.
VIDEO
I dont care what you say about the movie, the video presentation is impecable. this is defeinetly a movie to show off to your friends in an HDTV. All the landscapes, the flesh tones, and scenery is impressive. I couldnt get my eyes of the screem, lieterally I was just astonished at how the movie looked. Not one scene looks out of focus, or in poor shape.
AUDIO
Just like the video presentation, the audio is amazingly powerful, boating a 5.1 DTS HD Master Audio. The movie doesnt have any explosions or much firing throught, however, the atmospheric sounds and the minimal action make this audio impressive.
BOTTOM LINE
In all, I have to say that due to poor advertising the movie did not recieve the recognition it deserved. But, dont dismiss this movie due to that. I would give it a chance, I loved the films slw and atmospheric pacing. If you are into slow, plot driven film, then look no further this film is for you. Gauranteed.
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