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The American may be the surprise film of the fall. But not for reasons you would think. And for the same reason it will be a pleasant surprise for many; it will be a sad one for others. The new drama from director Anton Corbijn (best known for his work in the music video realm) is a thriller that plays out like a Sunday drive or an afternoon at an art museum. Descriptions that seem odd in describing a film about a hit man; but lucky for us this one is not your typical offering. 
 
The American (George Clooney) is a hired gun who ends up in a small, quiet Italian city as he awaits his next assignment. The End. Literally. 
 
For those film goers who have come to rely on high tech gadgets, unbelievable stunts, and quick edits that are strobe light fast you will wonder what the point is of this movie and story line. Mainly the point is that this is a reminder that we have lost the appreciation for expert film making that doesn’t need a lot of distractions and ADD inspired directing to work. Sometimes you can allow your character to just live out moments and capture them with superb camera work and stunning locations; like other countries still do. In fact it is hard to believe this is an American made film. It is rare to see but a welcome relief.
 
Clooney has a lot of weight on his shoulders in this outing. His character says very little and must rely on other ways to express emotion and thoughts. The script is based on the novel “A Very Private Gentleman” and Clooney is just that. This persona fits perfectly into the Italian city where he is staying. As he interacts with the townspeople it is in chopped sentences and vague ideals yet you can tell he is a troubled soul who longs for the personal relationships that are not common in his line of work. 
 
Corbijn will more than likely receive flack from ticket holders who are looking for another Bourne styled mission impossible flick. Even critics are missing the beauty in this one and I wonder if they have been lulled into the American way of camera work as well. That would be a shame. Why should the French and Italians be the only ones able to tell a story without blowing stuff up every ten minutes?
 
The American is rated R for violence, sexual content and nudity. Everything about this film is beautifully framed and transferred to the screen. So there is nothing outright shocking about it. But be aware that these elements do exist. Like the country in which it takes place the nudity and content are respected and played out as such. I am not sure how well this film will do. The arthouse fans will avoid it thinking it is another in a long line of Hollywood fluff while those who want nothing more than fast action will think it laborious and pointless. My hope is that the word gets out that this is a film for film lovers and those who can appreciate and respect the craft. It gets 4.5 out of 5 villas. I commend Corbijn on breaking out of the mold and creating such a work as this one. 
 
Matt Mungle
 

 
Review copyright 2010 Mungleshow Productions. Used by Permission.