The International

Name: The International
Genre: Action, Mystery, Thriller, Crime
Released: February 6, 2009
Duration: 118 min
Rating: 52
Cast: Armin Mueller-Stahl, Clive Owen, Naomi Watts, Ulrich Thomsen

2009

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 34 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 102 Ratings

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6.3	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 102 Ratings

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The International

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Movie Details & Credits

Columbia Pictures | Release Date: February 6, 2009 | R

Starring: Armin Mueller-Stahl, Clive Owen, Naomi Watts, Ulrich Thomsen

Summary: In The International, a gripping thriller, Interpol Agent Louis Salinger and Manhattan Assistant District Attorney Eleanor Whitman are determined to bring to justice one of the world’s most powerful banks. Uncovering myriad and reprehensible illegal activities, Salinger and Whitman follow the money from Berlin to Milan to New York toIn The International, a gripping thriller, Interpol Agent Louis Salinger and Manhattan Assistant District Attorney Eleanor Whitman are determined to bring to justice one of the world’s most powerful banks. Uncovering myriad and reprehensible illegal activities, Salinger and Whitman follow the money from Berlin to Milan to New York to Istanbul. Finding themselves in a high-stakes chase across the globe, their relentless tenacity puts their own lives at risk as their targets will stop at nothing – even murder – to continue financing terror and war. (Sony Pictures)… Expand

Director: Tom Tykwer

Genre(s): Action, Mystery, Thriller, Crime

Rating: R

Runtime: 118 min

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Critic Reviews

Roger Ebert

Clive Owen makes a semi-believable hero, not performing too many feats that are physically unlikely. As the plucky DA, Naomi Watts wisely plays up her character's legal smarts and plays down the inevitable possibility that the two of them will fall in love. Read full review

Stephanie Zacharek

This is a thriller where the cutting, even in most of the action sequences, is meticulous but leisurely. The elaborate set pieces are so beautifully worked out that you could take them apart, shot by shot, and fit the pieces back together like an intricate Chinese puzzle. Read full review

Sean Axmaker

For all its impressive set pieces and breathless momentum, it's neither passionate nor urgent. Read full review

Richard Corliss

If you take Tykwer's film even half-seriously, it will be like one of those horror movies that you leave, suspecting that the crazy, ingenious super-killer is waiting for you outside. A warning, then, to the susceptible: After seeing The International, don't dare go to an ATM. Read full review

Rick Groen

An action thriller with some decent action and a few thrills, but all embedded in a yarn so hopelessly tangled that even the loose threads have knots. Read full review

J.R. Jones

It's almost worth seeing, though, for the incredible action set piece at the center. Read full review

Joe Morgenstern

Motion is in copious supply -- a frenzied shootout at Manhattan's Guggenheim Museum grows interminable -- but the workings of the abstract plot are unfathomable, the characters are unpleasant and a couple of assassinations leave us as cold as the corpses. Read full review

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User Reviews

NerijusD.

Mar 9, 2009

The ultimate thriller What a movie! It has your attention caught from the very first scene of Clive Oven standing in the rain, watching. And pretty soon you get enveloped in the net of shocking mystery and conspiracy the main antagonist - an international bank - produces. First of all, the The ultimate thriller What a movie! It has your attention caught from the very first scene of Clive Oven standing in the rain, watching. And pretty soon you get enveloped in the net of shocking mystery and conspiracy the main antagonist - an international bank - produces. First of all, the whole premise of a story is based on real life events and you might even learn from this film about the power these banks have over ordinary individuals, or even whole nations. Secondly, you get to see extremely entertaining spectacles of high-profile assassination and its investigation, followed by the Guggenheim part, which is, without doubt, one of the most memorable, enjoyable and realistic shoot-outs I've ever seen in a movie. Wonderfully orchestrated, brilliantly shot and with breathtaking special effects and stunts! And then there's agent Louis Salinger, who has his own personal vendetta against the bank. After having suffered many painful losses during his previous investigations, he tries to protect Naomi Watts' (She's more beautiful than ever) character and family from the imminent danger of death the case brings while at the same time fully submerging and devoting himself to solve it. A recurring element of tingling in his ears plays wonderfully as it portrays his helplessness. Just as he lay there, on the pavement, watching a friend die with no power to turn the time back and save him, so did at the very last scene of the movie the comprehension of his vain little role trying to stop the grand scheme of endless international affairs dawned on him. You stopped this banker? There are hundreds of others just like him, waiting to take his place. To me this was a perfect ending to an ultimate thriller.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful

JeffL

Aug 17, 2009

God forbid we enjoy a movie for its story anymore. That's what the majority of opinions out there are hinting at. We care for violence and explosion and techno-babble and special effects galore. Can't forget the obligatory sex scene too! So many reviews discredit this movie's God forbid we enjoy a movie for its story anymore. That's what the majority of opinions out there are hinting at. We care for violence and explosion and techno-babble and special effects galore. Can't forget the obligatory sex scene too! So many reviews discredit this movie's true worth. Yes, the shootout at the Guggenheim was awesome, but to say that this scene alone would be worth the price of admission? Ugh. The plot was masterful, in my opinion. It really is a thinking-individual's thriller because you have to be vested enough in the plot to do some thinking. You have to pay very close attention to many things, many characters and the fronts they represent, and you have to add it all in as the plot progresses. You have to think as one each one of them the whole time, either Salinger, Skarssen (banker-villain), the assassin, Col. Wexler...etc. They all have such distinct roles in this story, each with any imaginable direction. The characters, to me, are what really make this movie because each one has their own desires in a game with the highest stakes. I especially loved Salinger because he is this overly dedicated crime fighter that is chasing a case with so many dead ends it's unbelieveable. His very first witness and his family "died in a car accident". His partner was killed right in front of him at the beginning of the movie, and so was the material witness. All right in front of his face, yet this enemy is untouchable because it's everywhere and so innocent at first glance. The menace was chilling as it was misleading. Too good. I love this movie for so many reasons. Too bad most people just can't see it. Too vested in action and simple, linear plot lines. Oh well.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

ScottC.

Mar 9, 2009

I thought it was a taut, engrossing thriller. The shoot-em-up scene at the Guggenheim was terrific.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

JayH.

May 31, 2009

Some great action sequences, awesome locarion shooting and a great cast, but the story is way too complex and over the top. Top notch production, fine cinematography and editing.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

eva3si0n

Nov 29, 2020

The film has a great description for viewing and not a bad cast. But only if you don't start watching it. After 15-20 minutes, you understand that the screenwriter is not familiar with taking suspense in a thriller. The plot here is so slow and sluggishly unfolding as if you were notThe film has a great description for viewing and not a bad cast. But only if you don't start watching it. After 15-20 minutes, you understand that the screenwriter is not familiar with taking suspense in a thriller. The plot here is so slow and sluggishly unfolding as if you were not watching a full-length film but episode 1 of the pilot of some series. And in general, the film causes mixed feelings, especially the last 1/3 of the film was made only to finish the storyline. Unfortunately, a boring film turned out to be a good idea, which does not once pull on a thriller, as it was originally conceived.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

jwt7000

Sep 7, 2012

A lot of drama, but not a lot of suspense. The music was limited which made me bored for most of the movie. The action didn't get under way until the middle of the movie. Overall, a toss-up movie with a slow plot.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

hojHardon

Feb 7, 2009

I'm not taking it easy here. this movie does stink. The acting, directing, writing, editing, and action is all flat. I am so dissapointed. I expected a great movie.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

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