‘The American’ Review: Clooney’s Impressive But the Story Leaves You Cold
by John Nolte“The American” (George Clooney) introduces himself to others as Edward. To his handler/boss, he’s Jack. We obviously don’t know his real name and in the crunching mountain snow of Sweden where lethal international assassins have gathered to play their reindeer games, we meet Jack, our protagonist, and witness him commit an act of unspeakable cold-blooded evil without even a moment’s hesitation.
The whys and hows of Jack and his situation are never fully explained because they’re not important. Death is his business and therefore it’s understood his cover must be protected even at the price of his own soul. And so he leaves the country, covers his tracks (even from his handler), and travels to a quaint small town in Italy where he hopes to hide in plain sight from those lethal Swedes and complete the kind of job where, this time, he won’t have to pull the trigger. His new commission is to craft a particularly nasty tool of the trade for a female assassin as intriguing and unknowable as she is beautiful.
And yes, this will be Jack’s last job before he gets out for good.
But you already knew that.
You would think a seasoned killer experienced enough to survive until his hair went gray would choose a better place to lie low than a small village where he conspicuously stands out – and then some — as the sole American. An aging, local priest fingers him as such immediately. The only explanation for this counter-intuitive decision appears to be to satisfy the cinematographer, because the old-world setting nestled into a mountainside complete with winding cobblestone streets is truly lovely to look at.
Like Clooney’s soul-weary killer, the friendly and wizened priest is another well-worn archetype in this well-worn genre of last-job-before-I-get-out-forever assassin films. And soon you’ll add one more archetype, a breathtakingly beautiful hooker with a heart of gold who doesn’t look a moment hardened by her chosen profession and who, naturally, sees something worthwhile in Jack no one else does, including us. But these are archetypes for a reason, they work, and up to a certain point “The American,” through its own quiet rhythm and somber tone, also works.
Anyone looking for a thriller will be quickly disappointed. Director Anron Corbijn isn’t interested in action. At all. As a matter of fact, Jack’s pursuers are as easy to kill as red-shirted “Star Trek” crewmen. This is a mood and character piece experimenting with silence and stillness in the hopes of making large the small moments, movements and gestures that come from a character too emotionally isolated and permanently on guard to offer up anything else. Chatter and exposition and back-story would only betray the essence of this character, which means that it’s up to Clooney fill in the pieces using only his screen presence. Thanks to his first truly outstanding and Oscar-worthy performance, Clooney not only accomplishes this, he also draws us in wanting to know more. Who is this man? What made him who he is? Will he redeem himself?
Unfortunately, it’s here where the story finally collapses.
Okay, so there’s nothing cinematically subtle about a fallen man at a crossroads in his life and at the same time befriended by the extremes of priest and prostitute. But that doesn’t mean the idea at work there can’t be interesting. The problem is that like the rest of the thematic track you’re deceived into believing the film is laying, it’s all a cheat. Not a single thematic element goes anywhere or even attempts to assume any kind of meaning. Jack might be handsome, worldly and refined, but he also happens to be a sociopath. To root for him, to want Jack to become Edward and get out from under the sins of his past, we have to see something worthy of redemption. But we don’t, and still the film roots for him, which is especially obvious in the melodramatic climax.
“The American” dares to burden itself (and us) with the heavy symbolism of priest, prostitute, and butterfly, not to mention Jack’s unforgivable crime, but then doesn’t have the courage to deliver on what it means – other than (snore) the futility of it all. This makes for a numbing third act and turns the hushed moments and clipped dialogue and lingering stares into something worse than pretense. Slowly, what once drew you in devolves into cold disappointment and watch-checking tedium — at least until the credits roll, at which point you’re completely numb.
No matter how good the acting, lovely the locations, pretty the cinematography or pregnant the pauses; no matter how much you might tart something up with the whiff of self-important existentialism, just as black is the absence of color, indifference is not a theme — it’s the absence of theme. Nihilism is not art. Nihilism is the absence of art. Which isn’t to say that this subdued and self-consciously quiet examination of the barren existence of an aging hit man tired of looking over his shoulder is without merit. What the film is without, however, is a point – which appears to be the point, which means that we have here is a deliberate act of artistic cowardice.
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43 Comments
NO………
NOT ANY OF MY MONEY………………..
CLOONEY'S POLITICS SUCK.
"Will he redeem himself? Unfortunately, it’s here where the story finally collapses."
Bummer. The promotional shots are gorgeous. Guess it's a second feature after several beers on cable.
Maybe in a sequel, he can hunt down Jason Bourne.
And really, can't they find an uglier woman to play a prostitute?
They do life so much better in that there Europe, ayuk ayuk.
Watching Hollywood's nihilism is like watching someone masturbate. Only the person doing it is enjoying themselves – never the one who's watching.
I'm very ambivalent when it comes to George Clooney. On the one hand, I hate his politics just like everyone else. On the other hand, I honestly believe he's a very good actor, and up to a point, pretty charismatic. There's no denying that he makes films like "Ocean's Eleven" and "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" highly entertaining–and hey, he might be an unabashed left-winger, but at least he's not constantly foaming at the mouth like some people (I'm looking at you, Sean Penn), and even makes it sound like he knows what he's talking about (I'm still looking at you, Sean Penn). Also, while I disagree with his assertion that, say, Darfur should take preference over Iraq in foreign policy, there's surely nothing wrong with his bringing attention to that and other humanitarian causes, in and of itself.
On the OTHER hand, quite frankly, most of his recent movies have kind of sucked. Case in point: "Burn After Reading." I don't know if it's his fault, but that's the way it is. The previews gave me no impression this will be any better, and I won't be seeing it.
Plot? What was this plot of which you speak?
I can tell you the plot of this film without seeing it. Here it is in a nutshell: American = morally ambiguous hitman w/ shady past who struggles w/ lots of guilt. The end. Now you can take your $10.00 and go see "The Expendables" again!
oh I don't know about that. Otherwise webcams would not be nearly as popular as they are…
Sigh. Unfortunately, I forgot that part of human nature. Sheesh.
I can't hate George Clooney, though thats mainly because he looks exactly like my old high school IB Coordinator.
How many times have you seen Burn? Only the one? It takes subsequent viewings for it to really sink in, before the lulz tickles your brain and makes you el oh el when Brad Pitt comes strutting down the corridor of Frances McDormand's apartment, bike wheel in hand chanting, "Oh my *God*!" or when Clooney freaks out in the park and sees CIA spooks everywhere.
Clooneys a good actor but my money is going twards Machete tomorrow.
A perfect vehicle for Clooney. Aging clockwork orange wanders about avoiding death, wondering idly if there might be a purpose to anything, meeting hookers and priests and making no connections. Close curtain at this point or that and no one will notice any difference, except as noted for the amount of time gone off your watch.
Oh, and by the way, thank you Clooney for another chance to not see you on screen.
The producer/director of the movie knew how bad it was. They are hoping you come see the film to view the hooker naked.
Blonde lovelies wielding Ruger Mini-30s amidst a rustic, old-world backdrop? Very tempting visuals. The movie may get my money, but only if I can find the right noise-canceling headphones to divert from the vast emptiness yawning from the theater's speakers.
Has anyone ever really heard of a hooker with a heart of gold? I mean seriously…they're usually kind of tough cookies.
“The American” dares to burden itself (and us) with the heavy symbolism of priest, prostitute, and butterfly, not to mention Jack’s unforgivable crime, but then doesn’t have the courage to deliver on what it means – other than (snore) the futility of it all. "
I would rather be beaten about the head with the Best Picture Oscar than sit through this film.
Sorry, Clooney's on my do not see list.
Clooney …you have, for the most part, been a great actor. I only wish that you kept your mouth shut about your political leanings. I have not watched any of your movies because of your Marxist leanings for, hmm, er, ah …I dunno. At least 12 years. Do what you do best: act. Support good, honorable causes and keep your politics to yourself. Oh, and maybe get educated by reading some truth. You know …like the Constitution, the Federalist Papers, the Bill of Rights, or authors like Skousen, Soule and so many more.
Can't stand Clooney and never see his films. All I see is that smug, leftist mug, whatever the trailer is.
I noticed in the trailer that Clooney sports some tattoos. Were they germane to the story, a disguise perhaps, or does he have them in every movie?
Assassin movies usually glamourize murder; so there's not much good that can honestly be said about them.
Yes and they are not that attractive otherwise they would be doing something else.
George Clooney is an OK actor who isn't worthy enough to shine George W. Bush's shoes.
Moving on, I did like the movie's atmosphere, or mood, very much. I think the best part of the movie IS the atmosphere – hanging around with a dangerous hitman in a small, quiet, scenic Italian village pursued by a bunch of EZ-Slay Swedish hitmen.
He looks skinny and creepy, like he's on whatever veterinary drug they are using in Hollywood these days to stay skinny and creepy looking.
Clooney's okay, just okay. He's over-rated as hell and lucky as hell. He's also getting dangerously close to old guy trying to act young (with the tats in this movie, ick).
Cary Grant, he ain't.
He's also a "slummer dater" which is creepy too. I mean, he picks up a cocktail waitress, keeps her around a year or two and then cuts her loose and goes out to a bar and picks up another one. Not that there is anything wrong with cocktail waitresses, but it's just strange for a movie star to use that method of dating. I am sure he must settle some $ on the girls when he's done with them, so they stay quiet. He must need the thrill of the girl being infatuated with the movie star. Icky.
He made this movie for some easy money and he didn't even have to leave his home in Italy. It's a filler movie on his resume and I can't believe anybody would bother to actually go see it. It's Netflix or ppv at best and that's just if there is nothing else to watch.
Doesn't Clooney own property in a quaint small town in Italy? He talks about it constantly. That could be your reason.
So, how long did it take Clooney to "craft" this assassin's tool? A trip to Wal-Mart? What would be involved in "crafting" a stock Ruger Mini 14 Carbine? Why "craft" a weapon generally considered too inaccurate to be a true hunting rifle and usually only used by the public as a varmint gun?
I might have watched this on cable if Clooney wasn't in it but a film titled "The American", featuring George Clonney, is just to oxymoronic for my tastes !
"Blonde lovelies" wielding that Mini 14 is about to get a bad case of scope-eye. Owie!
How about Rosie O'Donnell? Is that ugly enough?
Don't waste your money on this one…….just rent Luc Besson's 1994's "The Professional" with Jean Reno as the hit man, a young Natalie Portman, and the brilliant Gary Oldman. Death is… whimsical… today…. One of the best movie quotes ever.
Man that was a **good** movie!
I think Michael Medved described the movie as visually stunning but vacuous
I have a feeling this review is more interesting and thought provoking than the film. Bummer. Thank you for the review and insights.
When it comes to movies about professional assassins, I think I'll stick with the original "Day of the Jackal".
Cold as the HOLES at 1 & 2 WTC in winter
Cold as Rauf's eyes
Cold as Bloomberg's heart
I thought Clooney was in love with Marko Mark, or something like that, when that guy was an underwear model, now being an actor?
And moreso, having a good time with the Italian playboys at that lake in Italy?
I didn’t think Clooney liked girls, did he?
Another lame Clooney flick. Great, just what we needed….
Me too, and it's growing every day.
"No, Donny, these men are nihilists … there's nothing to be afraid of."
I think he likes it all which is why he dates cocktail waitresses and probably has them sign a confidentiality agreement when he breaks up with them. The girl has a couple of million, has travelled the world, but has also done a few things she really doesn't want to talk about anyway. I'm just saying that's the impression I get from Clooney.
He's bi, and what a disservice to gays and bis that he just won't come out and say it (if he is). He does not have to worry about $. He could still work although probably not as a leading man (let's face it that ship has sailed anyway). He would be a great character or featured actor or with the right part like Oh Brother, he would be incredible. I just wish if he were bi he could come out. Being openly bi is better than the creepy thing he is currently working. Just MHO.
If the one masturbating is an attractive woman, well…
Like others already indicated, that Ruger Mini-14/Mini-30 is pretty dumb. No assassin worth his salt would be found anywhere near one of these rifles as a sniping weapon. It's, what, the second least accurate auto-loading rifle in existence, just ahead of the AK-47 and its variants?
Interesting the review didn't reference the parallels to 'The Day of the Jackal.' The novel defined the suspense-thriller genre, and that movie captured the qualities lacking in this film. For instance, the great British actor, Edward Fox, played a hired assassin known as the Jackal. Hence, Jack Edwards.
You could have mentioned the moments of borderline porn in the film. A couple of girl-friends and I went to see this in the $1 theater tonight. After reading this review, I thought it would be worth a dollar and had NO idea that I was paying to see a boring porn-flick. I ended up leaving after the first hour. I know that's horrible, but I can only take so much "realism" in the bedroom scenes.
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