First of all, the preview trailer for this film does it a huge injustice. The trailer gives the impression that we're paying good money for a high octane suspense action flick - and American Bond if you will. That is not what this film is. This film is so much more. This is the story of an American assassin in Europe who just survived an attempt on his life and is laying low in Italy while his business associate looks into the matter. While laying low, The American takes on one last job --- all the while looking over his shoulder for the next hitman coming for him.
This is probably some of, if not, the best performance Clooney has turned in to date. It most definitely has to be listed up there with his performances in "Syriana" and "Michael Clayton". This film is beautifully filmed with some truly amazing Italian landscapes as its backdrop. The story is paced slowly, methodically. It is NOT a fast-paced action spy movie. It is a character study. It is done very well. It is filmed and the story told in very much the European style of cinema. That, combined with the gross misrepresentation of the film's preview trailer, most likely account for the film's steep decline since its opening.
It most definitely is a film worth seeing on the big screen. It is a good story, photogpraphed beautifully and performed powerfully.
4.5 Stars (out of 5)
John M. Dunlap, The Hollywood Outsiders
