The American | Film Review

Story by Dylan Bliss 

| Published Sep 7, 2010

I try not to make a habit of going to films alone. In this case, however, I’m quite pleased that I did. “The American,” starring George Clooney, is an experience that caters to a particular breed of movie-goers. I’ve screened several quiet Euro-espionage films just like this one, many of which bore me to death. “The American” is unique in this sense. Without wasting a frame, it slips starkly through beautiful landscapes right alongside Clooney, unaccompanied by narration or music. There is enough beauty, tension, brutality and perfectly greyed facial hair to keep you captivated throughout.

Simply put, Clooney plays a killer who is very skilled at building and operating different types of weapons. ’m sure the first thing you said when presented with another leading role from Clooney was along the lines of, “I’m so tired of George Clooney. He only ever plays himself.” Actors aren’t required to be versatile. Personally, if he consistently brings solid performances in movies this high in quality, I’ll pay the price of admission every time. He’s one of the last real Hollywood stars, and in “The American” he omits all traces of charm and simply focuses on the task at hand, crafting his final contracted weapon.

Oddly enough, he bags a beautiful Italian prostitute to pass the time with, all the while enlisting the help of a local senior priest for directions and supplies, posing as a photographer. We watch this man meticulously operate amongst these trusting individuals as he longs for a way out; all the tension and emotion generated by each scene is easily read on Clooney’s face.

A beautiful film, almost my favorite of the year, “The American” will undoubtedly frustrate those who expected another thrill ride from the Jason Bourne vein. If you don’t belong to the latter group of patrons I mentioned earlier, go see this film (alone if you must). Thank yourself afterward.