Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: The American (2010)

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Posted by Ross Oba (Member # 3433) on 08-31-2010, 07:54 PM:

Basic plot: George Clooney is an assassin who is on his last mission and finds love on the way.

Words to the wise for those who have ADD or get bored easily. This is without question the slowest movie I have seen this year. Not that I didn't like its slow pace. I didn't mind it too much, however for those who are going to go into this thinking it's an action movie, be warned. You will be sorely disappointed. There's probably no more than 10-15 minutes of action and that's being generous (probably more like 5).

With that being said, there were several things to like about the movie. I was impressed at watching Clooney assemble a rifle. Also Thekla Reuten (who plays Mathilde) is a pretty good shot. The last 10 minutes were the best IMO. Though I wish they would have explained a little more clearer with what exactly he was doing on the mission.

Overall 3/5

Posted by Bobby Henderson (Member # 840) on 08-31-2010, 11:24 PM:

It's sort of like "Up In the Air" but with some guns and expectations of action? Yeah, that sounds kind of disappointing. "Up In the Air" was a pretty good movie though.

Posted by Ross Oba (Member # 3433) on 09-01-2010, 12:53 AM:

Yeah, it seems like he's playing the same type of character. I enjoyed Up in the Air and this one is slightly on par. However I don't expect this to get any Oscars.

Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 09-01-2010, 01:31 AM:

quote: Bobby Henderson
"Up In the Air" was a pretty good movie though

No it wasn't. It had no redeeming qualities whatsoever except maybe as a sleep aid.

Posted by Bobby Henderson (Member # 840) on 09-01-2010, 10:37 AM:

Vera Farmiga acting high brow slutty and playing George Clooney isn't a redeeming quality?

Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 09-01-2010, 03:30 PM:

Not really, no.

Posted by David E. Nedrow (Member # 4981) on 09-02-2010, 11:44 AM:

Ross,

We LITERALLY had a couple run out of the film last night. As they passed us, they called back to say that "if [we] can avoid seeing it, don't see it. Worst movie ever."

They were going so fast I didn't have a chance to offer passes -- which I generally do if someone leaves in the first half-hour or so.

-David

Posted by Chris Slycord (Member # 4239) on 09-05-2010, 07:22 PM:

I have ADHD... and I liked the movie. [Smile]

Posted by Mike Croaro (Member # 3123) on 09-05-2010, 08:09 PM:

Folks:

I went with three friends to see the film and we all really enjoyed it. The pacing of the film is only slow if you are used to Hollywood films. Art house crowds won't even notice it.

From a technical view, I think the film may have been better in 1:85 or 1:66 due to the intimacy of the story.

I would give it a 4/5.

Mike

Posted by Richard P. May (Member # 3598) on 09-13-2010, 09:39 AM:

My wife and I both liked it, with some reservations. I guess we will never know much about who was behind the plot, or some details about the outcome. I won't mention any of that here.
Not for everyone, for sure. I can see where Clooney fans can be disappointed since it is neither a light romance or an action film.