The American
Cinema Nova, 08/12/2010
Status: Behind by 1 film
An aloof hitman on one last job finds redemption in the love of a prostitute with a heart of gold. Yes, The American is truly that clichéd.
When laying low in Sweden doesn’t work out, GEORGE CLOONEY lays low in rural Italy instead. He’s contracted to make a sniper assassin gun – no, the sniper assassin gun – and while he works on it a beautiful prostitute (VIOLANTE PLACIDO) and a merciful priest (PAULO BONACELLI) work on him.
The thing I found most interesting about this film was how much I enjoyed it despite the massive cliché. The script is good, the performances are sound, and the setting gorgeous. But most of all, I liked the way it looked - the direction and photography are really something from former photographer ANTON CORBIJN (Control) and fully exploit the visual medium for tension, mood and beauty. If only it had the depth to be beautiful on the inside too.
