'The American'

'The American' (R) (3 1/2 stars)

Writer: Rowan Joffe
Director: Anton Corbijn
Starring: George Clooney, Violante Placido, Irina Bjorkland, Paolo Bonacelli

"The American" is an interesting and very well done character study and thriller. It is not for everybody but it looks breathtaking and it creates some great suspense in the second half. George Clooney can really do about any type of project even one that has no box office potential like this movie. It is a credit to Clooney that this hard sell was #1 at the box office last weekend. I expect a really sharp decline in it's second week. "The American" is slowly paced and takes it's time to create mood and character and that is why it is refreshing. Clooney is very stoic and withdrawn as a hitman who after completing a job travels to Italy to kill again. The opening scenes are beautifully shot in the winter in wide screen frame by the cinematographer. Jack/Edward's life is very lonely because he is told he can't make friends because of his job. He frequents prostitutes a lot because he can't start a relationship with a woman for obvious reasons. He does strike up a beautiful relationship with a prostitute played by the breathtaking Violante Placido. Their courtship is very sweet and touching and the only connection Jack/Edward can make.

Clooney is outstanding here doing more acting with his eyes then I have ever seen by him. It is not a flashy role or performance but it is one of his best performances. This is why Clooney is our biggest star, he picks small and different projects along with big budget movies. He is so well liked in all his movies and even in movies like "The American" which plays like a foreign movie. It stops to set up scenes, is meticulous and takes time to develop it's characters. This is not the smiling, charming Clooney because he plays a withdrawn, lonely man and people will still love this performance.

The movie is breathtaking to look at and director Anton Corbijn shows great talent and directing skills. This is his second movie, his first one was the unseen and excellent Joy Division movie "Control". That was a great movie and this movie builds on that greatness. "Control" was filmed beautifully in black and white and "The American" also looks gorgeous in color. The movie is a treat for movie lovers that love slowly building suspense movies with great acting and characters. Also cinematography fans and art film lovers will eat this movie up. The last half of the movie builds up great suspense and you won't notice that the movie is making you sweat. The movie lets you soak in the atmosphere and says so much with so little. Just the great performance by Clooney and his co stars in their eyes and movements. This is a movie that deserves your attention and feels rewarding when you walk out of the theatre. A second viewing feels warranted to soak it all in again.

P.S. Clooney is not only are biggest and most likable star but his performances lately are outstanding and the movie choices brilliant. "Michael Clayton", "Up in the Air" and now "The American" and he can direct, wow!