The American
Director: Anton Corbijn
Casts : George Clooney, Paolo Bonacelli, Violante Placido
The American is a film that will not complicate your mind with too many dialogues. In fact, probably Clooney find it hard to play his character, Jack, a master craftsman, an assassin. Jack is a real loner, literally. He has been ordered not to make contacts with people, who might hamper his task as assasin.
It is told that Jack fled to Italy for a new assignment, after a harsh ending during his task in Sweden. Jack then promised that the Italy’s task would be his last. Somehow, his vows not to make contacts with people was broken when he seeked out friendship with a local priest and somewhat engaged in a romance with a local woman.
But, the sweden agents who traced him eventually got his marks in that small village in Italy. A faraway village by the hill, long roads, green vineyards, and nice lakes under the summer sun. Anything you always have in mind about Italy.
As Jack phase by phase taking his last assignment, he has revealed himself to the world, the factor that he was not supposed to do. His profession forbids that.
Jack is described as a very private man. Very quiet. Smile is not something his face is accustomed to. Clooney successfuly picture’s Jack lonesome, and somewhat his desire to find a new life. Jack is obviously tired of killing. He is tired of being alone, and sleeping with his gun next to him.
“The American” is poignant. It was poetic, literally for me. slides of beautiful Itally. scenes where Jack did not say things. The village where the film was shot, was equally quiet. Some people might find such place boring. Some might not.
Jack has been tied with human’s eventual effort to escape grief. Grief that as an assasin might not be able to show.
Clooney is accustomed to such role. Private gentleman with their own destiny. Its kind of pity to see that he actually trapped into typical role. For me, Jack is typical for Clooney. It becomes so hard not to imagine him playing these kinds of roles.
With Oscar in hand, Clooney still has the chance to find another roles to challenge his acting. Overall, this film squeezed your breath. I mean it. Not the type of film you would see with partners, special ones. This is a sad man film.
I like this film, however.
