"The American" - This beautifully filmed and skillfully directed drama/thriller about a conflicted assassin's "last job before retirement" seems destined to end up as my favorite film of 2010- it may be almost impossible to beat. It's simplistic, but expertly crafted- I fell in love with the experience.
It's a throwback of sorts- a lean, intelligently written character study without the hindrances of CGI or that annoying shaky cam nonsense that so many filmmakers drown their work beneath. The film is dominated by George Clooney's performance (as the aforementioned Hit Man) and the seemingly extinct art of patient, lingering cinematography. The only thing that could possibly be more gorgeous than the Italian countryside is Violante Placido, the actress portraying Clooney's love interest.
*NOTE-- This film isn't for those who seek the cheap, thoughtless, instant gratification that's falling off the Hollywood assembly line these days. Just don't bother. Makes me wonder what our ADD addled nation would think of "2001: A Space Odyssey", "The Shining" or "Alien" if they were released today.
Highly Recommended- 9.0 outta 10
It's a throwback of sorts- a lean, intelligently written character study without the hindrances of CGI or that annoying shaky cam nonsense that so many filmmakers drown their work beneath. The film is dominated by George Clooney's performance (as the aforementioned Hit Man) and the seemingly extinct art of patient, lingering cinematography. The only thing that could possibly be more gorgeous than the Italian countryside is Violante Placido, the actress portraying Clooney's love interest.
*NOTE-- This film isn't for those who seek the cheap, thoughtless, instant gratification that's falling off the Hollywood assembly line these days. Just don't bother. Makes me wonder what our ADD addled nation would think of "2001: A Space Odyssey", "The Shining" or "Alien" if they were released today.
Highly Recommended- 9.0 outta 10