
The International
2009, Drama/Mystery and thriller, 1h 58m
213 Reviews 100,000+ RatingsWhat to know
critics consensus
The International boasts some electric action sequences and picturesque locales, but is undone by its preposterous plot. Read critic reviews
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Movie Info
Cast & Crew
Louis Salinger
Eleanor Whitman
Wilhelm Wexler
Jonas Skarssen
The Consultant
Viktor Haas
News & Interviews for The International
Critic Reviews for The International
All Critics (213) | Top Critics (72) | Fresh (123) | Rotten (90)
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Whatever happened to the old fashioned spy sagas which had breakneck chases, busty women and non-stop action? Now it's all brooding fellows with sad back-stories.
April 26, 2019 | Full Review… -
The premise might be timely, but the execution is same old, same old.
August 29, 2018 | Full Review… -
A sure-footed and thrilling sidestep into cinema's mainstream.
July 6, 2018 | Full Review… -
What is this movie about? I had to keep asking myself this question while suffering through not one, but two hours of The International.
September 12, 2017 | Rating: D+ | Full Review… -
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February 18, 2012 | Rating: B- | Full Review… -
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November 18, 2011 | Rating: 3/5
Audience Reviews for The International
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Apr 13, 2014[img]http://images.rottentomatoes.com/images/user/icons/icon13.gif[/img]Directors C Super Reviewer
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Aug 08, 2012An Interpol agent and an NYC District Attorney investigate mob-like dealings by an international bank. Sometimes one's best assets are one's greatest weakness. <i>The International</i> implies that banks benefit from political corruption and turmoil, and thus, this particular "evil bank" fans the flames of countries' internal strife and even involves themselves in arms trafficking. To foment the flames of discord so widely, the bank has to be huge, and representatives of the bank make this point in the film. But in order to satisfactorily end the film, the bank either has to win or be completely defeated, and since the point all along was about the bank's far-reaching effects, the latter option doesn't work within the film's construct. Without giving away the ending, neither happens, so the ending isn't satisfying; it leaves the audience hanging in the balance, trying to walk a kind of middle road. I like the fact that the film chose a system and a systemic problem as its villain - this is the film's strength - but this strength leads to the film's inability to end well. Also, I didn't understand Clive Owen's character. We get a little background, but this man is obsessed with this case, and we're never privy to why. What personally drives him to solve this case? Is he always this crazed and intense? His behavior is often irrationally angry, and more backstory - one that avoids cliche - would have been welcome. The shoot-out at the Guggenheim was well-choreographed on the positive side. Overall, the idea behind <i>The International</i> - choosing a systemic villain - is a good one, but it ultimately leads to the film's collapse.Jim H Super Reviewer
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Oct 27, 2011Clive Owen's one of the few actors that have caught me off guard through his performances in "Inside Man", "Children of Men", and "Sin City" and his performance in "The International" delivers, but what a horribly convoluted screenplay. "The International" suffers from a narrow, one-dimensional plot with no heart, at all. As you can imagine, this movie is super forgettable for characters go from point A to point B with no mention of any sort of motivation. Don't get me wrong -- cinematography is cutting edge and the action set-pieces are engaging but there is absolutely no substance.Albert K Super Reviewer
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Apr 07, 2011A pretty decent conspiracy thriller with Clive Owen and Naomi Watts as globetrotting investigators eyeballing some curiously pleased-with-themselves rich CEO types. They have a fun uninterrupted shootout at a famous New York art museum as a cool action centerpiece of the film for what seems like days! I laffed so hard!Kevin M. W Super Reviewer
The International Quotes
Louis Salinger: | Sometimes you find your destiny on the road you took to avoid it. |
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