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The American Photos
Movie Info
Cast & Crew
Jack, Edward
Clara
Mathilde
Father Benedetto
Pavel
Larry
News & Interviews for The American
Critic Reviews for The American
All Critics (224) | Top Critics (66) | Fresh (147) | Rotten (77)
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This is a western wrapped up in an Abruzzo tourism brochure, but that's OK. I now know it's my favourite kind of cowboy film.
August 30, 2018 | Full Review… -
The American is in fact a double-stunner - a retro-ish Euro-espionage thriller that's written, acted and directed as if it were still 1974.
July 10, 2018 | Full Review… -
The American doesn't set out to be anything other than a twisty, deliberate film that relies on suspense and paranoia more than car chases and gunplay. The problem is that even on its own artsy terms, the film falls apart long before the end.
February 7, 2018 | Full Review… -
A muted thriller, weighed a little too obviously with existential angst. Still, sexy and tense, with a brave, bare performance from Clooney.
November 29, 2010 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review… -
It purrs evenly, like the engine of a luxury automobile, with a cool, sleek satisfaction at how stylish it is. That said, it is pretty stylish...
November 29, 2010 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review… -
As with watching the equally compact, detached Cary Grant, it's a great pleasure just to see the stone-faced Clooney going about his work exuding mystery and inner torment...
November 29, 2010 | Full Review…
Audience Reviews for The American
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Jul 29, 2013In a way, <i>The American</i> is the tragic version of <i>In Bruges</i>, subtracting the dark humor and the clever comedic one-liners. My main hypothesis is that this solid minimalist crime film with an aura of loneliness is considerably underrated because it didn't have that extra appealing factor that <i>In Bruges</i> had (the humor and the characters bordering on the absurd), yet both are tragedies, both have impossible romances and main characters surrendering to the charms of a woman. Wonderfully shot, the film shuts down the musical score when it doesn't have anything extra to offer, and properly comprehends how powerful silences can be in tense situations and in the desolate landscapes of the countryside. Eroticism and violence become more vivid, and you can almost hear the dangers lurking in every corner. Do not let the Letterboxd rating distribution or the total IMDB score confuse you. It is better than you think because you don't really know how this film is given its improper marketing. Take my word for it. Thank God the film was not action-packed. 73/100Edgar C Super Reviewer
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Jun 14, 2012A tightly wound, perhaps overly aesthetic film that keeps one firmly in its grasp for the entire duration. 'The American' is a character study of a man whose career choice has forced him into an emotional vacuum; he trusts no-one and is forever looking over his shoulder. It's a beautifully shot film, the camera capturing the best of rural Italy and Sweden, the slow pacing of the film adding to the sense of atmosphere. Not a lot happens in the film, but it is strangely engrossing, chiefly because of the ambiguity of it all. One doesn't exactly know the predicament of Clooney, someone is after him, but who? The viewer has confidence in the assassin's dexterity in combat and his awareness of his surroundings, but we also suspect his assailants are just as sharp. All performances were fine, but something that struck me about the film was that the cast is too attractive and too stylish considering the type of people they are playing. Does George Clooney look right for the role? I'm not sure. Is Thekla Reuten right for her role as a ruthless assassin? I don't think so, she's just too attractive. A slight credibility issue perhaps, but not a particularly pressing one; its healthy supply of sexy, scantily clad European women could certainly be seen as a merit of the film.Jack H Super Reviewer
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May 14, 2012great in places but drawn out and unusually paced. the overall story of the film is a little light and characters aren't fleshed out for extra depth. Could of been one of the better spy films but misses its chancesBrendan N Super Reviewer
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Mar 24, 2012The movie runs slowly and in the end doesnt male sense im afraid.Scott G Super Reviewer
The American Quotes
Ingrid: | Why would you have a gun? |
Jack: | Who were the Swedes? |
Pavel: | I've made arrangements to leave town while I sort this thing out. |
Mathilde: | Goodbye Mister Butterfly. |
Mathilde: | Goodbye, Mr. Butterfly. |
Pavel: | Don't talk to anyone, and above all, don't make any friends, Jack. You used to know that. |
Clara: | You are a good man, but you have a secret. |
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