THE AMERICAN

With George Clooney, Paolo Bonacelli, Violante Placido, Irina Björklund, Filippo Timi

Written by Rowan Joffe (based on the novel by Martin Booth)
Directed by Anton Corbijn

Dutch photographer and music video director Anton Corbijn (especially known for his Depeche Mode clips) is still in the early stages of his feature film career.

Here he takes on Martin Booth's novel about a mysterious man with a deadly profession. The classic case of seeking redemption and trying to change his blood stained life is the core of the slow and sometimes boring narrative. Doing what is planned to be his last job (in Italy), he meets a prostitute. He falls for her and realizes this may be his only chance to turn is back on his past. Naturally this will not be so easy.

The movie greatly feels like a '70s Euro-noir, but with modern angles, and unfortunately goes many predictable routes, but sometimes the redemption theme can only go one way.

Extra features include: deleted scenes and a Making Of featurette.

3 / C
- Paul Blom

0 1 2 3 4 5 6
- A - B - C

A: Multiple Viewing Potential
B: Deserves Another Look
C: Once Should Suffice