The American

     In this film, which Rob Thomas of the Wisconsin State Journal calls '...a minimalist thriller that features gorgeous camera work,' George Clooney plays Jack/Edward, an assassin who flees to Italy after an unfortunate event in Sweden. Right off the bat his handler warns him not to make any friends and sends him off to a sweet little town whose streets are all cobbled and winding. But no sooner does he settle in the exquisite town of Castel del Monte - population 129 - than he becomes involved with a prostitute named Clara. Meanwhile, his new job is to make a quiet, light-weight rifle/machinegun that can be broken down and fit into a briefcase, no easy task but one which he seems to take a certain amount of pleasure in. Unfortunately, the Swedes are still after him, he's not sleeping well at all, and the local priest seems to know him without knowing him. He decides it's time to get out. But as we all know, leaving that kind of life is never as easy as simply saying, 'hey, here's my two weeks notice.'

   Clooney was excellent as always and I don't think I've ever seen anyone with as much grey hair looking so damn good. Some reviewers said he played the part in an 'understated' way but I think he played it just right. The man is an assassin after all; all his emotions have had to be buried about as far as he can dig. He can't afford to have feelings nevermind show them. And George plays this exeedingly well. As for his new friend, Clara, she's smokin' hot, and very sweetly played by Violante Placido.

   This film was directed by Anton Corbijn, who had previously directed music videos for the most part. Which makes me wonder, why did George Clooney, who could probably have his pick of films, decide to work with this guy (a virtual unknown on the big screen discounting a documentary he did of the lead singer from Joy Division)? How did the script even come his way? That's a story I'd be curious to hear. But no doubt you want to hear my opinion of the movie, which, I am happy to report, was well worth the $8.25 I paid to see it. Just don't go into it expecting a Bourne Identity clone. This is not an American film.