The American Review

Posted by Tony Farinella on 09.04.2010

George Clooney returns to the big screen in The American! How does it hold up in a busy summer of films? Check out the review for the full details!


It’s taken me quite some time, but I have finally come around on George Clooney. I can say with conviction that I’m a fan of his work and enjoy watching his movies. That wasn’t always the case, though. I used to view Clooney as a guy who was simply another piece of an ensemble cast. I just never really saw him carry a movie on his own. He would surround himself with great actors to make himself look good. Hollywood, meanwhile, was shoving him down our throats as the next big movie star. After Up in the Air and now The American, I’m a George Clooney fan. In The American, he has to carry a good portion of the film all by himself. He’s up to the task, thankfully.

The American follows Jack (George Clooney), a silent assassin who keeps to himself and whose preparation is second to none. He leaves nothing to chance. In Jack’s eyes, it’s better to be safe than sorry. He would rather kill an innocent person than take the chance that they might kill him first. While in Sweden, things get a little messy, which leads Jack to tell his boss that his next job will be his last. His boss tells him that his next job will be an easy one because he won’t have to kill anyone. He just has to make a drop off and he’s free to enter retirement. I’m not exactly sure what kind of retirement plan they have for assassins. I don’t believe they have any kind of benefits or a pension.

Jack’s final job will be in Italy, where he hopes to get a little rest and relaxation as well. That’s easier said than done, though, because he’s always on edge and unable to relax. The very thing that makes him so effective is also his downfall. He is haunted by nightmares, has trouble sleeping, and sometimes will wake up after hearing a loud noise with a gun in his hand. Trust is not something that comes easy for Jack. He’s always questioning people’s motives and their true intentions. When he meets the local priest (Paolo Bonacelli), he wants nothing to do with him. The priest is under the impression that he’s a photographer in town, but he also senses that there is something more beneath the surface with Jack. A local prostitute (Violante Placido) also becomes quite cozy with Jack as well. The more Jack tries to resist human interaction, the harder it becomes for him.

If you have seen the trailer for The American, you probably think it’s an action picture with a lot of big action scenes. Well, you couldn’t be further from the truth. The first hour of the film is deliberately paced and takes its time with lots of scenery shots and quiet moments of introspection. That said, I can’t say I was ever bored while watching this film. It kept my interest throughout, thanks to a restrained and thoughtful performance by George Clooney. He takes away everything that we have come to expect from George Clooney and makes this a standalone character. This is a really difficult performance to pull off because he’s all by himself for a good chunk of the movie. He uses his eyes and his face to properly portray his emotions. It’s George Clooney’s best and most complete performance to date.

Anton Corbijn really puts you in the shoes of the main character. You feel his uneasiness and uncertainty throughout the first hour of the film. Even though I have never been an assassin and don’t plan on becoming one in the future, I now know what it feels like. The money might be good, but you can’t live any type of normal life. You and everyone that you care about is a target at all times. Jack can never really enjoy anything in his life. Even when he’s having sex, it seems like his mind is elsewhere. The hooker even asks, ‘What’s wrong? It seems like something is bothering you.’ There is never a moment’s peace for Jack. Jack does attempt to create some happiness, though, but the more he exposes himself, the greater the danger. It’s a tough life to live, but it’s what Jack signed up for when he became an assassin.

Al Pacino has often said that you need to give a great movie time to breathe after it’s all said and done. I couldn’t agree with him more. The American is the type of the movie that stays with you and haunts you long after the credits roll. It sticks in your brain. So many action movies are just mindless noise that go in and out of your head without leaving any sort of lasting memories. The American is more of a character study and an examination of a certain kind of lifestyle. It’s not glamorous, but it is accurate in its portrayal. I have to give props to Clooney for taking this role. It’s very unconventional. That’s what makes Clooney such a good actor, though. He’s always looking to try something new. He doesn't settle.

The American is not for everybody and it’s probably not going to satisfy your average moviegoer. As I’ve talked about in this review, it does take a while to get to where it wants to go, and I fear that maybe certain audiences might lose their patience with it. In the end, it’s emotionally rewarding and thoughtful. It’s also quietly entertaining. In a summer filled with explosions and crazy action, it’s nice to sit back and let a movie unfold before your very eyes and take its time. This is a thinking man’s movie that will generate a lot of questions for you. It doesn’t give you all of the answers or paint the picture for you. They leave that up to you.

The 411: The American is a well-oiled machine that features George Clooney’s best performance. They put a lot of thought behind this film, and the beauty is in the unknown. I truly believe that Clooney deserves an Oscar nomination for his work in this film. He does so many of the little things right. Every decision is carefully planned and well-thought out by Clooney. The final showdown is full of twists and turns that will you have nudging the person next to you and asking, "What just happened?" Nothing is like it seems in The American.

Final Score:  7.5   [ Good ]