The Interpreter (2005)

Political intrigue and deception unfold inside the United Nations, where a US Secret Service agent is assigned to investigate an interpreter who overhears an assassination plot.

Director:

Sydney Pollack

Writers:

Martin Stellman (story), Brian Ward (story),

Stars:

Nicole Kidman, Sean Penn, Catherine Keener

4 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Nicole Kidman	...	Silvia Broome
Sean Penn	...	Tobin Keller
Catherine Keener	...	Dot Woods
Jesper Christensen	...	Nils Lud
Yvan Attal	...	Philippe
Earl Cameron	...	Zuwanie
George Harris	...	Kuman-Kuman
Michael Wright	...	Marcus
Clyde Kusatsu	...	Police Chief Lee Wu
Eric Keenleyside	...	Rory Robb
Hugo Speer	...	Simon Broome
Maz Jobrani	...	Mo
Yusuf Gatewood	...	Doug
Curtiss Cook	...	Ajene Xola (as Curtiss I'Cook)
Byron Utley	...	Jean Gamba

Storyline

Escalating events begin when U.N. interpreter Silvia Broome alleges that she has overheard a death threat against an African head of state, spoken in a rare dialect few people other than Silvia can understand. With the words "The Teacher will never leave this room alive," in an instant, Silvia's life is turned upside down as she becomes a hunted target of the killers. Placed under the protection of federal agent Tobin Keller, Silvia's world only grows more nightmarish. As Keller digs deeper into his eyewitnesses' past and her secretive world of global connections, the more suspicious he becomes that she herself might be involved in the conspiracy. With every step of the way, he finds more reasons to mistrust her. Is Sylvia a victim? A suspect? Or something else entirely? And can Tobin, coping with his own personal heartache, keep her safe? Though they must depend on one another, Silvia and Tobin couldn't be more different. Silvia's strengths are words, diplomacy and the subtleties of ...

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Plot Keywords:

assassination | interpreter | african | diplomacy | secret service | 

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Taglines:

The truth needs no translation.

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Genres:

Mystery | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for violence, some sexual content and brief strong language

Details

Official Sites:

UIP [es] Universal [us]

Country:

UK USA France Germany

Language:

Aboriginal English French Portuguese

Release Date:

22 April 2005 (USA)

Also Known As:

Tolken

Filming Locations:

Praça de Touros Monumental, Maputo, Mozambique

Box Office

Budget:

$80,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$1,718,779 (France) (10 June 2005)

Gross:

$72,515,360 (USA) (22 July 2005)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Pictures, Working Title Films, Misher Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

128 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Some of the extras in the film (scenes in the General Assembly, the Security Council and in the security camera footage) are actual U.N. staff members, who were allowed to participate after signing the usual waivers. Filming at the United Nations took place over weekends from April - August 2004.

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Goofs

When Tobin walks into his apartment and it's dark the light switch is on the up position. After the camera pans through his apartment you can see the light switch is now in the correct position for the lights to be off when it focuses on him once again.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Simon Broome: She wouldn't tell me her husband's name. She wouldn't even write it.

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Connections

References Three Days of the Condor (1975)

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Soundtracks

"Terere Obande"
(Acogny)
Performed by The World Beaters

User Reviews

Script Needs Work

I was interested in seeing The Interpreter since it looked like a good adult drama. Unfortunately, the movie has some problems.

The big plus of the movie is Kidman. She is one of those women who actually looks better as she ages, and she is a talented actress. Sean Penn is also a good actor, and both do a great job in the movie.

Unfortunately the good acting can't overcome the weak script. I felt like the story was still a 2-3 drafts short of being ready for the screen. The biggest problem was that there are plot holes you could drive a truck through. I also felt the movie dragged through most of the middle as they tried to develop the strained relationship between the principle characters.

If you are a plot-driven movie fan, as I am, the movie is likely to be a disappointment. If you are a acting-driven movie fan, you will probably like the movie more.