THE AMERICAN (2010) - ♦♦♦♦

Directed by - Anton Corbjin

Written by - Rowan Joffe (based on a novel by Martin Booth)

Starring - George Clooney

"An American assassin hides out in Southern Italy for one last killing.

Corbjin’s The American feels like a tribute to the seventies cinema and particularly recalls the delightful mysterious, soft spoken and deep alienation of the cinema of Michelangelo Antonioni. The photography makes the whole thing look beautiful and especially focuses on making it look trendy. Furthermore, Clooney predictably plays a wonderful suave assassin.

It’s inevitable that some who will expect a faster paced and more action packed thriller be disappointed, but this Corbjin film is simply not that. This film is softed and hence more hypnotic but also somewhar nostalgic and character driven. In fact, its character study is especially compelling and makes The American more human and overall more ambitious."

Thriller, USA/UK