The American
The American

Movie spotlight

The American

1998
Movie
84 min
English

After the horror of the Civil War, 'ignorant' Christopher Newman made his fortune. He travels to France is search of cultural treasures. He won't get past the Paris nightlife. After an affair with a haughty painter, he falls in love with the daughter of the late marquis de Bellegarde. She was married off and traumatized by her abusive late husband for the family's sake. Her elder brother supports their ruthless mother, but junior Valentin is besotted with the artist and strikes a partnership with Christopher.

Insights

IMDb6.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes66%
Metacritic61/100
Google Users67%
Director: Anton CorbijnGenres: Crime, Drama, Thriller

Plot Summary

An assassin known as Jack is in hiding in a small Italian village. He accepts one last mission to build a custom rifle for a client. As he works on the weapon and prepares for his final job, he becomes entangled with a local woman and begins to question his life and the path he has chosen.

Critical Reception

The American received mixed to generally positive reviews from critics. While George Clooney's performance and the film's atmospheric style were often praised, some critics found the pacing to be slow and the plot somewhat predictable.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its stylish direction and George Clooney's reserved performance.

  • Criticized by some for its deliberate pacing and lack of intense action.

  • Noted for its beautiful cinematography and evocative atmosphere.

Google audience: Google users generally found the film to be a stylish and atmospheric thriller, appreciating George Clooney's performance. Some viewers noted that it was a slower-paced film, which they enjoyed for its mood, while others wished for more action.

Fun Fact

The film was shot entirely on location in Italy, with many scenes filmed in the Abruzzo region, particularly in the towns of Castel del Monte and Scanno.

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