David O'ConnellThe American
November 22nd 2010 05:04
Jack (George Clooney) is one of the more enigmatic characters of recent film history. From hesitant beginnings there comes a certain cinematic expectation of slivers of character detail being judiciously doled out to form relatable characters. Not so in Dutchman Anton Corbijn’s compelling, meticulously under-paced drama The American, adapted by Rowan Joffe from Martin Booth’s novel A Very Private Gentleman.
Here, little of significance seems to happen in a film determined to evoke strictly European flavours through its stilted pacing and incrementally introduced narrative puzzle pieces. Though it’s clear he’s lying low, as advised by the man – Pavel (Johan Leysen) – he phones regularly for guidance, Jack's true nature is never entirely certain, though presumably he's an assassin of some variety. He’s given the task of making the sale of a cleverly constructed weapon to a mysterious buyer, Mathilde (Thekla Reuten). But a broader meaning remains frustratingly out of view, meaning that Corbijn’s film, whilst cajoling us along on its cautious examination of Jack’s world, maintains a rare and welcome unpredictability.
All the slowly accruing details of Jack's minimalist existence are beautifully framed, it must be said, by the photogenic vistas of small town Italy where nearly all the film takes place. The American both intrigues and teases, often through the subtle implications of suspicious local gazes that become suggestive of danger.
As time wears away at Jack’s resolve to maintain his stoicism, a subtle change does occur. Prompted by the gentle probing of Father Benedetto (Paolo Bonacelli) and then exacerbated by the luminous presence of the admittedly generic prostitute-with-a-heart, Clara (Violante Placido), Jack begins to comprehend the stark delineation his left-field vocation has created.
Baseless and weighed down by the burden of his abject aloneness, his internal ruminations begin to reveal a shudder of uncertainty at what he’s become. In the film’s opening sequence, set in Sweden, he loses a woman who clearly meant something to him; now he yearns for the sanctuary a similar kind of physical contact would provide. But will it cause him to linger too long in a place on which deadly threats are converging?
Thekla Reuten as Mathilde
Clooney gives a brilliantly understated performance, even though superficially it never seems to resolve itself into a fully-formed creation. Yet, by the final sequence, Jack’s aloofness is actually cast aside, allowing a glimpse at a fragile human being; the same one seen for mere moments in Sweden before a devastating, irrevocable act of self-preservation sent his life into freefall - possibly not for the first time one suspects.
Placido and Reuten are alluringly beautiful sidelights but Bonacelli offers the most memorable support as the far-from-fallible priest able to provide a timely glimpse at the moral compass Jack seems to have averted his eyes from in sustaining his steely edge.
The American will no doubt test the patience of many who will find its nebulousness – including a recurring butterfly motif that hints at a deeper explanation of Jack’s true nature - a real chore. For me the inertia and fragmentary detailing had an opposite effect: I was mesmerized, only able to guess at what affect Jack’s glaringly alien presence in the town would ultimately have. Aided by a classical visual approach and appropriately inscrutable Clooney performance, The American reveals itself as one of the finest films of the year and a superb fictional debut from experienced music video director Corbijn after his Ian Curtis biopic Control (2007).
Clooney with Violante Placido
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Comment by Matt Shea
Comment by David O'Connell
20/20 Filmsight
Screen Fanatic
Comment by ShaunK
Screen Adventure
I thought that while I liked clooney, an acotr with a wider range could have done more with the role, but I was still impresed with his understated choices.
This wasn't as Good as Corbjin previous film Control, I thought. Great review also
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Another film that is on my must see list so I only glanced the review but your final paragraph leads me to believe I will find much to enjoy.