Smart movie for dumb people
''The American'' is just another one in the countless company of: The Drive, Black Swan, The Tree of Life...
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MovieChat Forums > The American (2010) Discussion > Smart movie for dumb people
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You mean "Drive" right?
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The irony.
This isn't a pretentious film in the same vein as Black Swan or The Tree of Life, trying to achieve some sort of ethereal 'European' flavour and therefore appear intellectually stimulating for the clueless bourgeois. It is European. It's an independent film on an independent budget, directed by a Dutchman, filmed on location in Italy, with an Italian crew and a European cast (save for the lead actor), written by a Briton and adapted from a novel by a British author, and thus European sensibilities. Not that one needs to be European to showcase a European setting, but perhaps you were another one duped by the misleading marketing campaign cashing in on Clooney's name and presenting this as another Bourne type film.
If you've ever read a John le Carré, Frederick Forsyth, or even a Daniel Silva novel, you'll appreciate the pacing of this film and its nuances. It presents the finer details that generally only occur on the pages of a good espionage novel; the quieter moments that explore the protagonist's craft and his subsequent character traits. It builds tension and makes the action relevant and organic to the plot. All underpinned by a doomed Shakespearean romance.
No, this is not a "smart movie for dumb people", this is a smart movie for smart people. But go ahead and embarrass yourself on the internet all you like.
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Excellent reply John_Dee_007. Irony indeed!
I am watching this movie after completing viewing The original BBC's Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy and Smiley's People, and The Spy Who Came in from the Cold (all based on books by le Carré and at least co-written by the same). I also watched Three Days of the Condor, I am seeking out more "realistic" low-key, intellectual spy/assassin films and haven't come by The American until this morning. I don't want an action thriller. I want to be titillated by problem-solving, not gun-shooting. Years and years ago I read all of le Carré's books and I love the low-key, in the shadows, problem-solving nature of these espionage stories!
There is nothing pretentious about this film. It's a character study of a man whose inner struggles are reflected through his friendship with the priest and his growing affection for Clara. It is set in a small town, with "small town people" who live small-town lives. In comes our protagonist full of complexities and secrets that can only be discovered/revealed via his relationships with the people in the town.
I am watching this movie after completing viewing The original BBC's Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy
I have this series. Guinness is excellent. Far superior to the 2011 adaptation. Being a miniseries it was able to capture much more of the novel than a 2 hour movie could ever hope to achieve. Silly idea given the complexities of the book.
All good films you picked, by the way.
I am seeking out more "realistic" low-key, intellectual spy/assassin films
Hmm, the first film that came to mind when I read "low-key" was The Russia House (1990) for some reason. For other intelligent espionage films, perhaps 5 Fingers (1952)? Or I suppose you've already seen The 39 Steps (1935)? Or The Falcon and the Snowman (1985)? Or Eye of the Needle (1981)? Or The Ipcress File (1965)? Or The Quiller Memorandum (1966)?
*The Tailor of Panama is another one that's a bit more low-key. I'm sorry, I can't think of much at the moment without drifting away from the specific criteria, but I know there's a bunch I'm forgetting.
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1.Drive (2011) - 9/10+ (My #1 film of this 2010's decade)
2.The American (2010) - 8/10 (my #4 film of 2010)
3.The Tree of Life (2011) - 7/10 (Thumbs Up, but nothing special)
4.Black Swan (2010) - 6/10 (Thumbs Down) (all of Aronofsky's films are overrated)
so in short... Drive/The American are memorable where as the other two are not even though i liked The Tree of Life.
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It's funny how similar Gosling & Clooney's characters were in their respective films, All of these films were very good, haven't seen The Tree of Life yet.
"I am the ultimate badass, you do not wanna `*beep*` wit me!"- Hudson in Aliens.