As beautifully shot as it is emotionally restrained, The American is an unusually divisive spy thriller -- and one that rests on an unusually subdued performance from George Clooney. Read critic reviews
The American
2010, Mystery & thriller/Drama, 1h 45m
227 Reviews 50,000+ RatingsWhat to know
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Movie Info
When an assignment in Sweden ends badly, master assassin Jack (George Clooney) retreats to the Italian countryside with the intention of remaining anonymous. In an uncharacteristic move, he becomes friends with a local priest and pursues a torrid romance with a beautiful woman (Violante Placido). But by stepping out of the shadows, Jack may be making a fatal mistake.
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Rating: R (Sexual Content|Nudity|Violence)
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Genre: Mystery & thriller, Drama, Action
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Original Language: English
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Director: Anton Corbijn
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Producer: Anne Carey, Jill Green, Ann Wingate, Grant Heslov, George Clooney
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Writer: Rowan Joffe
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Release Date (Theaters): wide
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Release Date (Streaming):
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Box Office (Gross USA): $35.6M
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Runtime:
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Distributor: Focus Features
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Sound Mix: Dolby Digital, DTS
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Critic Reviews for The American
Audience Reviews for The American
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In 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. 73/100
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A 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 -
great 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 chances
brendan n Super Reviewer
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The movie runs slowly and in the end doesnt male sense im afraid.
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