The American (2010)
Country: US
Technical: col/2.35:1 105m
Director: Anton Corbijn
Cast: George Clooney, Paolo Bonacelli, Thekla Reuten, Violante Placido
Synopsis:
An assassin for hire becomes a target of Swedish hitmen and is sent to hide away in Italy by his line manager. There he works on a new contract to fashion a gun for a specific assignment for a female colleague, while sharing drinks with the local Father and other fluids with a local prostitute of quite remarkable attractiveness. Tentatively he opens up to both as his unknown antagonists close in.
Review:
A 'contemplative thriller' in the Ripley mould, this has Clooney, Joffe (sc.) and Corbijn on fine form, not to mention some superb cinematography in mostly wintry hues. One or two notes do not quite ring true but there are plenty of references for film buffs that do not, however, intrude on one's existential identification with the plight of the hero (amazing how quickly he becomes such, after being introduced as a cold-blooded murderer). His nickname, 'the butterfly', occasions some clever visual touches and strokes of mise en scene. We never do find out 'why'.
Country: US
Technical: col/2.35:1 105m
Director: Anton Corbijn
Cast: George Clooney, Paolo Bonacelli, Thekla Reuten, Violante Placido
Synopsis:
An assassin for hire becomes a target of Swedish hitmen and is sent to hide away in Italy by his line manager. There he works on a new contract to fashion a gun for a specific assignment for a female colleague, while sharing drinks with the local Father and other fluids with a local prostitute of quite remarkable attractiveness. Tentatively he opens up to both as his unknown antagonists close in.
Review:
A 'contemplative thriller' in the Ripley mould, this has Clooney, Joffe (sc.) and Corbijn on fine form, not to mention some superb cinematography in mostly wintry hues. One or two notes do not quite ring true but there are plenty of references for film buffs that do not, however, intrude on one's existential identification with the plight of the hero (amazing how quickly he becomes such, after being introduced as a cold-blooded murderer). His nickname, 'the butterfly', occasions some clever visual touches and strokes of mise en scene. We never do find out 'why'.
Country: US
Technical: col/2.35:1 105m
Director: Anton Corbijn
Cast: George Clooney, Paolo Bonacelli, Thekla Reuten, Violante Placido
Synopsis:
An assassin for hire becomes a target of Swedish hitmen and is sent to hide away in Italy by his line manager. There he works on a new contract to fashion a gun for a specific assignment for a female colleague, while sharing drinks with the local Father and other fluids with a local prostitute of quite remarkable attractiveness. Tentatively he opens up to both as his unknown antagonists close in.
Review:
A 'contemplative thriller' in the Ripley mould, this has Clooney, Joffe (sc.) and Corbijn on fine form, not to mention some superb cinematography in mostly wintry hues. One or two notes do not quite ring true but there are plenty of references for film buffs that do not, however, intrude on one's existential identification with the plight of the hero (amazing how quickly he becomes such, after being introduced as a cold-blooded murderer). His nickname, 'the butterfly', occasions some clever visual touches and strokes of mise en scene. We never do find out 'why'.