MovieChat Forums > The American (2010) Discussion > Total lack of tradecraft and plot gaps

Total lack of tradecraft and plot gaps

posted 11 years ago by DrNick1
7 replies | jump to latest

I know Jack is supposed to be seen as slipping, at the end of his rope, on one last job, and so on, but his lack of tradecraft is inexcusable. He sticks out like a sore thumb in the village. He draws attention to himself in multiple ways. His cover story is laughable. He even continues to wander around the town all alone, at night, even after he knows he's been made by the Swedes.

Speaking of that episode, where he's followed down the steps and has the scooter/car chase ending in the death of the assasin- there's zero blowback for any of that. He is just told to stay put. It's not a big deal in the village at all. A local person on his scooter is shot by an international assassin who is then pursued by an unkown, has his tires shot out and is found dead in his car of a broken neck that has nothing to do with a car crash. Italian police not really interested in international mayhem?

Jack clearly observes Clara speaking with strange men in a car at the cafe. Was this ever explained? He clearly suspects Clara but she manages to convince him of her good intentions at the wood. But do they ever discuss what those men were?

[–] spookyrat1 11 years ago

Jack clearly observes Clara speaking with strange men in a car at the cafe. Was this ever explained? He clearly suspects Clara but she manages to convince him of her good intentions at the wood. But do they ever discuss what those men were?

Yes they do, after their picnic. Clara explains she has a gun to protect herself against the serial-killer of prostitutes. She tells Jack/Edward that the "strange men" were cops interviewing her about any suspicious clients.

...there's zero blowback for any of that.

I agree with you on the other stuff. It weakened the story for me too. There's barely a cop to be seen in the movie, yet the priest (a really interesting character IMO) makes him.

And why does Jack obediently just hang around, when you sense he and Pavel his handler have seen better days pass, right from their initial meeting in Rome. It seems to me he might as well have just painted a target on his back.

[–] kingsx_64 11 years ago

As with many professions,, they don't realize that they ARE passed their prime. Very few 'get out' before,,

Never interrupt silence unless you're
going to improve it

[–] chrisprincegm 8 years ago

I saw the movie from a different angle. For me, this is not a story of tradecraft, not a spy thriller, not man v. man. This is man v. self (manifested in the role of the priest). It is a story of emotion, relationships, retribution and atonement. As such, the finer details of his profession are intended to be assumed - for Jack to as successful and with longevity, it can be assumed that he does not make mistakes. And the evidence throughout does not suggest that he is "losing his edge", that this is a mask he is presenting.

I also believe that he is fully aware of his circumstances, from the instant he saw the "hunter's tracks" in the snow. The flicker of emotion when he sees the tracks is realization & anger; upon killing Ingrid, the flash of regret is not for the killing but for the life he knows he can never have. He knew that Pavel sold him out - hence the change in locations and the discarding of the phone when he gets to Italy. He knew the weapon construction job was a set up. This is his last job, with a certain outcome (they will send somebody as good - or beteter - to do the job). His apparent carelessness in Italy are the actions of a man for whom there is nothing left to live. His Hell, according to the priest.

As for the specific doubts surrounding the assassination of the Swede, we're all working from a basis of full knowledge. This is not the starting point for local police. Given the size and location of the town, it seems unlikely that local authorities would have experience with these crimes, and would likely be moving slowly. Jack was working on a 2 day timeline. And why would the police automatically assume The American was involved (and would they even know of his existence?) when there was no evidence as such?

By allowing CLara to live (unlike Ingrid), by rejecting his trade in sabaoging the weapon and killing the assassin, and by killing the his master Jack aspires for redemption and the reward of paradise with Clara. That he cannot achieve it is the message. He is too big a sinner.

I like spy movies, too - the subterfuge, the tradecraft, what lurks around the corner. But they don't all have to be about dead drops, invisble ink and gadgets. They don't all have to be James Bond or Jason Bourne.

[–] geoffrey-jackson 8 years ago

Thank you for starting this thread.

I agree with your criticisms. There could have been a bit more effort put into the writing of the book and/or screenplay. This is part of the reason why I down-rated this otherwise excellent film from 10/10 to 9/10.

[–] blairmaynard123 8 years ago

I like this movie because of the scenery, the filming, the ambience, the acting, the internal conflict. But you really have to suspend disbelief.

His handler wanted him dead and hired a beautiful woman to ask him to build a custom gun for his own assassination? Of course, that's what I would do. :) I am sure this kinda thing happens all the time.

Who would hire some big ugly cheap thug to walk up behind the target and shoot him in the head with a .22 revolver?

[–] neverstandinalone 8 years ago

It's easier to get up close and personal through a beautifl woman. No man can resist.

Ignorance isn't bliss. Ignorance is laziness. So stop being so lazy!

[–] 8 years ago

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