The American * * *
Director: Anton Corbijn.
Screenplay: Rowan Joffe.
Starring: George Clooney, Paolo Bonacelli, Violante Placido, Thekla Rueten, Johan Leysen, Irina Bjorkland, Filippo Timi.
He made his directorial debut with the life story of the band Joy Division’s frontman, Ian Curtis in “Control”. Now, renowned photographer Anton Corbijn shows some more control – and restraint – in his second feature, with a beautifully shot and unexpected meditative thriller.
Jack (George Clooney) is a hired assassin who goes into hiding in a small Italian village to let things settle after someone tries to assassinate him. Here he befriends a priest who he very nearly confides in and also falls in love with a local prostitute. His employer, meanwhile, sets up another job for him but all is not what it seems, and his identity is more exposed than is comfortable.
When a film opens with the Cloon-meister shooting an innocent woman in the back, you know things are going to be different. Although, not quite as different as what transpires. Done with a very slow, deliberate and meditative pace – reflective in the mood and existential angst of Clooney’s hitman – and as the title suggests, the only thing ‘American’ about this film, is this very character. Everything else is purely European; the supporting actors, the setting, the look and feel. Its almost an art-house thriller. Emphasis on the art-house (and arduous) as there are very few thrilling moments. When they do appear though, they are impressively handled by Corbijn but ultimately the very slow pace kills the action and on a couple of occasions we are treated to scenes of almost unbearable tension and then left unfulfilled as the tension dissipates, without the expected delivery. I enjoyed the simplicity of the whole thing but also found myself wondering if it was worth the time I was investing. I admire Corbijn’s attempt at going against the formula but it wasn’t entirely successful and I couldn’t help but wonder what could have been had he concentrated a little more on his obvious ability in handling suspense and jangling nerves. However, a brilliantly understated and subtly emotive performance from George Clooney, yet again, proves his versatility and holds the film together.
It doesn’t entirely excite enough for a thriller and isn’t quite as astute as a character study, but falls somewhere, awkwardly, in-between.
Mark Walker
MARKED MOVIES 
July 4, 2013 at 12:29 pm
Nice review. I agree, it wasn’t bad but wasn’t all that great either. Clooney was pretty good in the movie though.
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July 4, 2013 at 12:35 pm
Thanks man! I loved the mood and the slow pace didn’t bother me but I felt that it really should have build towards something more satisfying.
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July 4, 2013 at 12:50 pm
Nice Review Mark.
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July 4, 2013 at 1:24 pm
Cheers Vinnie. Much obliged, man.
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July 4, 2013 at 1:13 pm
I have this film but haven’t gotten around to watching it yet. I just keep hearing bad things about it so I put it to the side.
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July 4, 2013 at 1:26 pm
It’s not all bad, Chris. I actually enjoyed it but it certainly wasn’t what I was expecting. If you prepare yourself for a slow pace you just might tune into it.
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July 4, 2013 at 2:12 pm
I find this film underrated, I really loved it. Clooney gives a fantastic performance, I give him my win for that year.
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July 4, 2013 at 2:16 pm
Clooney is certainly on top form and the film does have much to recommend it, but I found that the pace hindered it somewhat and it didn’t deliver certain set-pieces that it promised to. That being said, I would completely write it off. I actually quite liked it.
Thanks for dropping by 🙂
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July 4, 2013 at 2:24 pm
I like this film a lot. Took a few viewings to totally come around, but I think if you know exactly what to expect going into it, you can temper expectations that it’s any sort of Bourne-esque thriller. Reminds me a bit of one of my all-time favorites: The Day of the Jackal.
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July 4, 2013 at 2:32 pm
I can’t be overly critical of it John as it does have many qualities and some scenes are masterfully handled. It just felt a little lethargic at times and didn’t move quick enough. It’s certainly not as bad as a lot of people made out, that’s for sure.
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July 4, 2013 at 3:03 pm
I liked it quite a bit more than you did, but I can understand your points. It was very slow and the marketing made it seem like an action filled kind of thing. The imagery was beautiful and I didn’t mind the pace at all.
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July 4, 2013 at 5:52 pm
Yeah, I think the marketing really hurt this film, Nostra. If you go into it knowing what it’s going to deliver then there’s a higher chance of appreciation. That being said, it still didn’t satisfy me in terms of action or character study.
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July 4, 2013 at 3:53 pm
You absolutely nailed this, Mark. As I got the email notification of this post, my thoughts went back to my feelings on this movie, and it’s exactly as you said… far too slow (almost excruciatingly quiet) and not enough character work. It was almost like an exercise in minimalism!
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July 4, 2013 at 5:56 pm
Cheers Fogs! It was like an exercise in minimalism and I can see why some would be more positive about this but if truth be told, I was clock watching. Don’t get me wrong, it was brilliantly shot and what action it did deliver was very well done. Clooney was also excellent but I couldn’t honestly say it was an enjoyable experience.
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July 4, 2013 at 4:13 pm
Hi, Mark:
A moody little piece of cinema tinged with a heavy dose of John le Carre in regard to the “Why?” of Clooney’s actions. As opposed to
the more modern and expected ‘Slam! Bang!’ pyrotechnic “How?”.
‘The American’ reminded me more of ‘The Little Drummer Girl’ than any other recent film in plot and execution. Weird, huh?
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July 4, 2013 at 6:02 pm
In terms of the “Why?”, that’s what keeps this film floating. I didn’t dislike it but I was overwhelmed either. I’m not a big action fan so I wasn’t really fussed about the lack of it but it could have had more drive in other ways.
I haven’t seen “The Little Drummer Girl” but I’m going to look into that. Even though I haven’t seen it, that does strike me as an odd reminder 😉
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July 5, 2013 at 7:52 am
Isnt this the one Clooney didnt even promote, as they thought it was going to tank. Then it did big business at the box office. Strange, I’ll see it on TV one day I imagine. Nice write up as always Walker 🙂
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July 5, 2013 at 2:05 pm
I’m actually surprised it made money at the box-office. This is the type of film that certainly won’t appeal to a mass audience. I’d still give it go if you get the chance, though.
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July 20, 2013 at 2:39 pm
It didn’t too bad. 35 million dollars to make, and it grossed 68 millions dollars worldwide. I quite like the film. Plus it has bare boobies. 🙂
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July 23, 2013 at 8:09 am
That amount isn’t too shabby at all. I liked the film too but it was rather lethargic at times. The bare boobies were notable, though. 😉
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July 20, 2013 at 2:41 pm
Not sure if you’ll read this in time, Tyson, but it’s on Channel 4 tonight at 10pm.
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July 5, 2013 at 3:59 pm
Fine review Mark. I don’t think I even remember this one! Must have been pretty under the radar. I won’t be rushing to see it but I’d give it a watch if it was on TV.
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July 5, 2013 at 9:00 pm
Cheers Chris. In all honesty, I wholly recommend this one. I suppose it does depend on your preference but I’d urge most people to seek this out. Give it a go, man. I would very much like to hear your take on it.
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July 5, 2013 at 8:10 pm
CLOON MEISTER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WAZZZUPPPPP. lol. That being said, I like this movie a lot (i think?). There is very little going on, but for some reason I think about this movie all too often. Love the ending too.
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July 5, 2013 at 9:08 pm
Lol. You can’t beat a bit of the Cloonmeister! He’s excellent in this movie too. I liked it but it didn’t really knock my socks off, you know? The ending was good and it had several moments that were sublime but I found that they were too few.
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July 9, 2013 at 7:06 pm
Good review and observation about how it is in between a thriller and character piece, but nailing neither. I also like your line about the only thing American about the film is the character.
I wished this had done better when it first was released.
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July 11, 2013 at 11:29 am
Thanks again Vic. Yeah, this film did have many positives but it didn’t quite delve fully into its potential for me. Good film but it could have been better.
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July 11, 2013 at 3:21 pm
This is a highly underrated film. Piss poor marketing that made this film out to be some sort of Bond meets Bourne really handicapped this film IMO.
It is streaming on HBO Go if anyone wants to check it out.
would gladly watch more films from Corbijn, I really liked Control as well.
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July 12, 2013 at 11:16 am
I do agree that the marketing harmed this movie. Expectations were not met for many. It’s a bit unfair as the film has some decent stuff going on but it didn’t really cut it for me. I can see why some would take to it, though.
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