The American

Name: The American
Genre: Drama, Thriller, Crime
Released: September 1, 2010
Duration: 105 min
Rating: 61
Cast: George Clooney, Paolo Bonacelli, Violante Placido

2010

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Generally favorable reviews based on 36 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 259 Ratings

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6.8

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6.8	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 259 Ratings

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The American

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Movie Details & Credits

Focus Entertainment | Release Date: September 1, 2010 | R

Starring: George Clooney, Paolo Bonacelli, Violante Placido

Summary: As an assassin, Jack is constantly on the move and always alone. After a job in Sweden ends more harshly than expected for this American abroad, Jack retreats to the Italian countryside. He relishes being away from death for a spell as he holes up in a small medieval town. While there, Jack takes an assignment to construct a weapon for aAs an assassin, Jack is constantly on the move and always alone. After a job in Sweden ends more harshly than expected for this American abroad, Jack retreats to the Italian countryside. He relishes being away from death for a spell as he holes up in a small medieval town. While there, Jack takes an assignment to construct a weapon for a mysterious contact, Mathilde. Savoring the peaceful quietude he finds in the mountains of Abruzzo, Jack accepts the friendship of local priest Father Benedetto and pursues a torrid liaison with a beautiful woman, Clara. Jack and Clara’s time together evolves into a romance, one seemingly free of danger. But by stepping out of the shadows, Jack may be tempting fate. [Focus Features]… Expand

Director: Anton Corbijn

Genre(s): Drama, Thriller, Crime

Rating: R

Runtime: 105 min

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Critic Reviews

100

Roger Ebert

Here is a gripping film with the focus of a Japanese drama, an impenetrable character to equal Alain Delon's in "Le Samourai," by Jean-Pierre Melville. Read full review

Dana Stevens

If you're willing to let go of your Hollywood-bred expectations for a movie of this type-spectacular action set pieces, constant pulse-pounding music, a killing every 15 minutes-The American is a great pleasure to watch, an astringent antidote to the loud, frantic action movies that have been clogging our veins all summer. Read full review

James Berardinelli

Anyone who understands what The American offers should come away pleased with the final product. Read full review

Michael Phillips

The movie is a paradox. It's ostentatiously restrained. You cannot say Corbijn lacks rigor. You can, however, say that when a talented director's approach too precisely mirrors the tightly calibrated performance strategy of his leading player, a movie risks stalling out completely. Read full review

Joshua Rothkopf

The film's mood is so somber and minimal, it might be confused for deep. Had the plot (meager and one-last-job-predictable) zipped along, that wouldn't feel like such a problem. Read full review

Lawrence Toppman

A slow, grim, atmospheric but virtually plotless look at a blank-faced loner who is obsessed with his work, has no friends except for one woman inexplicably attached to him, and ends up making those around him miserable. Read full review

Kyle Smith

A pretentious Euro-snore that should occasion a fraud prosecution for any marketer who calls it a thriller -- and which stars an actor who seems to wish his name were Jorg Clooné. Read full review

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User Reviews

Filmrad

Sep 23, 2010

This is a wonderfully executed example of an intelligent and thought provoking character study. Once again, George Clooney is a class act with the guts to choose a great project that, sadly, most people will be too over-stimulated by today's mindless movies to truly appreciate. The film isThis is a wonderfully executed example of an intelligent and thought provoking character study. Once again, George Clooney is a class act with the guts to choose a great project that, sadly, most people will be too over-stimulated by today's mindless movies to truly appreciate. The film is highly engaging. Riveting, in fact, if you're not looking for the typical shoot 'em up action picture. If you're willing to get under the skin of The American, and really feel this guy's harsh reality, it's even shocking, not to mention heart-breaking, at times, and certainly a more realistic look at the life of an assassin than anything that's come out in a long time. Congrats to all involved in the making of the wonderful picture. Great job!!!… Expand

3 of 6 users found this helpful33

Grungi

Dec 6, 2010

I confess, when I sat down in the cinema I was expecting to see George Bond, taking down his enemies with a smirk and a cheesy one-liner. I was very surprised by the film, and pleasantly so. The American tells its story through mood, tension and silence .. and does so very well. It sureI confess, when I sat down in the cinema I was expecting to see George Bond, taking down his enemies with a smirk and a cheesy one-liner. I was very surprised by the film, and pleasantly so. The American tells its story through mood, tension and silence .. and does so very well. It sure ain't Hollywood. It's .. classy. There's just no other word that quite fits.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Sonblackosea

Jan 2, 2011

Brilliant and Beautiful. See this movie if you are looking for a thoughtful meditation on the psyche of an assassin who no longer has the desire to work as one. This is the story of a soul seeking something other than what he has, but he does not know what it is he is looking for or how toBrilliant and Beautiful. See this movie if you are looking for a thoughtful meditation on the psyche of an assassin who no longer has the desire to work as one. This is the story of a soul seeking something other than what he has, but he does not know what it is he is looking for or how to get it. Rather than this being a violent and dull-witted or depressingly repentant movie, though, it is full of life and even hope. There is action in the movie, but the action serves a purpose. Thus, it is not an "action-packed thriller" (like the ad would have the viewer believe), as much as it is a portrait of a human being seeking transformation of a sort - if not of the religious variety, certainly of the spiritual.

The cinematography was excellent - beautiful natural images, very striking bits of composition in various room and street scenes, and a wonderful use of color. The storyline was somewhat canned, but the acting was very solid and some of the dialogue was exceptional in its deceptive simplicity. I will keep thinking about this one for some time.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

LMiklowitz

Sep 15, 2010

Very suspenseful in parts and exquisitely slow moving in other parts with the camera stuck on Clooney doing exercises and other things, sometimes unexplainably. Clooney didn't have a lot of lines to learn.his charm doesn't show, not even a sparkle in the eye. Lots of gratuitous violenceVery suspenseful in parts and exquisitely slow moving in other parts with the camera stuck on Clooney doing exercises and other things, sometimes unexplainably. Clooney didn't have a lot of lines to learn.his charm doesn't show, not even a sparkle in the eye. Lots of gratuitous violence and sex. Beautiful photography of the land. Despite the title, the film seems more a foreign film.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

MarcDoyle

Sep 9, 2010

I heard a couple of meatheads walking out of the theater on Oahu say, "I didn't get it.... George Clooney officially ruined his reputation with this one." Huh?? What's not to get? It's not a bad movie by any stretch, but is has much more deliberate pacing than the trailer would suggest.I heard a couple of meatheads walking out of the theater on Oahu say, "I didn't get it.... George Clooney officially ruined his reputation with this one." Huh?? What's not to get? It's not a bad movie by any stretch, but is has much more deliberate pacing than the trailer would suggest. This was not meant to be another Bourne movie. If you're a fan of a show like Rubicon, you'll love it. The actresses in this film are spectacular. (Not sure it's them or the parts - or the direction - but are great opposite George.)… Expand

3 of 6 users found this helpful33

OscarPicks2010

Dec 25, 2010

Not even halfway through the movie I already hated its guts. The American shows no respect for its film genre, its star, and its premise. Director Anton Corbijin should stick to his short documentaries instead of trying to direct an action thriller. Most of the time the camera is up inNot even halfway through the movie I already hated its guts. The American shows no respect for its film genre, its star, and its premise. Director Anton Corbijin should stick to his short documentaries instead of trying to direct an action thriller. Most of the time the camera is up in Clooney's face, and although his performance is quiet but dangerous, it doesn't make up for all the faults in this film. There were basically no dialogue and when there was, it lacks focus and was all over the place. Spending almost 20 minutes following Clooney around town without doing anything, The American is one of the worst thriller of 2010. Clooney's performance shows promise but the film failed on all other aspects and will/could not be made up by just George Clooney. RazzieBuzz: Worst Director, Worst Screenplay, these are both unlikely because critics liked the film but I put them there just to show how mad I am that George Clooney got involved in this.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

bob13bob

Jul 17, 2019

this movie is stupid yet it takes itself seriously. It's boring no budget so it can't be a action movie. The writing is too poor and non sensible to be taken as a mental thriller (unlike tinker taylor). the characters are so charismatic. Actor not taking the physical training to make itthis movie is stupid yet it takes itself seriously. It's boring no budget so it can't be a action movie. The writing is too poor and non sensible to be taken as a mental thriller (unlike tinker taylor). the characters are so charismatic. Actor not taking the physical training to make it believable. He's a highly paid assassin yet he gets contracted to be a custom gunsmith. He's a gunsmith, but does his work without a shop bumming tools from a low end mechanic. He can have a rifle shipped to himself, but can't get the washer and metal tubing to make the silencer. Then he magically gets a drill pressed.

George clooney didn't train enough to do proper pushups or pullups, yet we have to watch his training montage on the screen. He's in worse shape than all the non contract killer women in the movie.

the action is poorly thought out with characters who don't think. it impossible to believe these people are highly experience successful contract killers. the bourne series was so much better. Clooney's relationship with the priest is such a crappier and can't hold a candle to godfather 3 michael and his priest. watch any of the movies i've listed instead of low budget clunker.

if you want old man hot babe fantasy, the recent 007 movies are much better. or RED.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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