Released in Theaters: 09/01/2010
Jack (George Clooney) is an assassin. He’s also known and refers to himself as Edward depending on who he’s talking to, and most importantly – who’s listening. And for a select few, he’s known only as “Mr. Butterfly”. But Jack is far beyond just your run-of-the-mill assassin. His skills are more fundamental and subtle . His greatest skill is assembling hand-built firearms to pinpoint specifications, separating himself from the trigger as often as possible. Above all, he is a masterful craftsman. However, in the cozy snow-covered Sweden countryside, Jack is quickly discovered and his cover blown, sending him on the run for his life. He lands in the remote mountainside village of Italy where is handler (Johan Leysen) requires him to carry out one last job. One where Jack doesn’t even have to pull the trigger.
As Jack navigates the isolated Italian village, he meets several people. Many of whom he ends up confiding in, wrongfully or not. Willingly or not. Father Benedito (Paolo Bonacelli), a chatty priest, tries his best to draw out some sort of confession from Jack. Not to self-incriminate, but in an attempt to release Jack from his own type of condemned and hellish purgatory for which he’s trapped. Meanwhile, he visits a local prostitute: Clara (Violante Placido) to fulfill his other desires. The two become very close through the ladder part of the film, but some of Jack’s suspicions of her become glaring. That not only is she involved with exposing him, but she is the one after him. Perhaps that’s just his paranoia….perhaps.
Based on the novel “A Very Private Gentlemen” by Martin Booth, The American is told with very little dialogue. Used sparingly and only when absolutely necessary – an aspect of the film which I personally enjoyed. Likewise, much of the story is told through actions. Not action sequences, but subtle behaviors, movements and happenings depicted by the film’s central figure: George Clooney. Who’s portrayal of a troubled assassin on the run is one of the best he’s ever done. A feat that Clooney is making habit of the past decade or so. It seems as though he out-does himself with each film he does. No complaint here. However, this feature is much different than we’re used to seeing him in. Jack is a man who craves human connection. But he’s unable to keep any sustainable relationship, not because of his “close-to-the-chest” personality, but because of his profession. He can’t afford to make friends. That would not only jeopardize the operation, but his life as well.
Anton Corbijn is well known for his acclaimed directorial debut with Control, the telling of the British-punk band Joy Division and the tragic suicide of their front man Ian Curtis. Here, Corbijn uses the seclusion of the terrain and the mysterious Italian village as a secondary character. Depicted across cobblestone streets in the cold rain, passed hidden doorwars and through dark alleyways, it becomes overwhelmingly clear that: 1) Someone is after Jack; and 2) That as the film draws to a close they’re getting very, very close. Corbijn’s homage to Sergio Leone’s Once Upon a time in the West was a nice touch as well. No doubt a subtle tribute.
“Everything I’ve done, I’ve had good cause to do.”
Though advertised as such, this film is not George Clooney’s rendition of Jason Bourne. It’s anything but. Though at times slow moving, the film maintains a well-paced flow. Much of which is very reserve and not only requires, but demands a great deal of patience from its audience. Characteristics very reflective of George Clooney’s portrayal. The American is a different animal altogether. It has a soul and a beating heart. The soul lay within the beautiful Italian countryside; the beating heart within George Clooney’s terrific performance. A very private gentlemen indeed.
IMDb: 6.9/10
Rottentomatoes: 62%
MovieWiseGuys: 7.5/10