FILM REVIEW: The American (15)

SLIDER’S REVIEW:

Here’s ladies man George Clooney playing lead role in this adaptation from the 1990 novel “A Very Private Gentlemen” by Martin Booth.

I like a film that starts off with unanswered questions. Anton Corbijin who directs this movie does just that. It got my attention for a moment as you all know I’m a sucker for a bit of action and thriller in films. After the little spell of action the film then goes into BORING MODE. As for the next 35 minutes nothing significant really happens. After that the story then sort of starts to take shape, but slooooowly.

I didn’t want give up on this film because it still had that Thriller effect because Mr Clooneys Characters Jack/Edward had this trust nobody mentality so he was constantly looking over his shoulder and keeping safe. Everything seemed quiet, dark and secretive as i didnt get any background information so for me this kept this character intresting. Havent said that the more characters introduced on screen the better feeling I got watching this film. Lots of scenes of one man wasn’t really cutting it for me however sexy you ladies might think he looks. 

If anyone is expecting a heart racing show stopper of a movie then dont watch this one.

The American as a whole is an okay film; it’s not bad it’s just not great. The screenplay uses the element of surprise on a low level. The whole look of the film has the settings of a Jason Bourne type of film but then doesn’t deliver like one. Even though I had not read the book that this film is from I can tell the important and not so important parts were all thrown into this movie. This is good to some extent because normally writers take stories and do their take on it which is normally different from the original. The writers for this film had the films pace going so slow... snails could have gotten to point of this film faster.
On a good note the locations were picked very well and the long and wide shot of the town looked great on screen.

Acting wise everybody did their parts well especially Clooneys character. However he did have this clueless look about his face for most of the film. I couldn’t tell if he was going to strangle someone to death or start crying on their shoulders.

This story could have been told in about 20mins but nope they manage to stretched out for 103minutes.

MY STAR RATINGS OUT OF 5: 2.5

ONE FAVOURITE MOMENT IN THE FILM:

What the women does with the gun made for her.

(if you loved another moment in the film, please feel free to tell us in the comments)

SYNOPSIS:

An Assassin hides out in Italy for one last assignment.

TRAILER: