Life Begins At.....
Issue link: http://ebook.aprs.com.au/i/23233
MOVIE REVIEWS George Clooney’s infectious charm is a notable factor in his success as an actor. Another is his ability to choose great films. The American sees the engaging thesp embracing the latter while rejecting the former, and in turn Clooney delivers one of the best turns of his storied career. The American Starring: George Clooney, Paolo Bonacelli, Jonah Leysen, Violante Placido, Thekla Reuten Directed by: Anton Corbijn Rated: MA Running Time: 105 min Distributor: Universal Pictures Based on Martin Booth’s novel A Very Private Gentlemen, Clooney stars as Jack, an assassin who lays low in a sleepy Italian village after his last assignment ends in tragedy. Agreeing to one last job, Jack takes to his next task – the assemblage of a weapon – with perfectionist skill, while haunted by a never ending regret. By Matthew Pejkovic The American is a thriller that is as much about reflection as it is espionage. Corbijn is not interested in shooting an action movie in its typical form. Even in the films varied shootouts, there is a weight in the decisions made by Clooney’s assassin, With Fair Game comes a piece of modern history, filled with the exact elements needed to make a great political thriller. Yet this is a story that is just as much about a domestic situation as it is about the politics. Unfortunately, one element works, and the other doesn’t. Fair Game Starring: Sean Penn, Naomi Watts, Sam Shepard, Noah Emmerich, Bruce McGill Directed by: Doug Liman Rated: M Running Time: 104 min Distributor: Hoyts Distribution By Matthew Pejkovic Naomi Watts stars as Valerie Plame, a CIA agent in charge of numerous international covert operations. When she is asked to gather intelligence on the possibility of Iraq holding weapons of mass destruction, Plame recommends her husband and former diplomat Joe Wilson (Sean Penn) as a useful resource to validate a key piece of intelligence. Despite all channels coming up empty, war on Iraq is eventually declared, prompting Joe to write an editorial damning the Bush administration. In response the White House reveals Plame’s identity as CIA agent. 140 THE RETIREE SUMMER as if every click of the trigger will send him spiralling further into his own personal Hell. Connection and redemption is sought through two different sources. First comes the spiritual, found in the budding friendship with a Catholic priest (Paolo Bonacelli). The second is the physical, with local prostitute Clara (Violante Placido). Clooney portrays inner turmoil, doing away with his usual ticks and keeping that smooth charm in check, opting for a quiet intensity that transfixes the viewer. Corbijn photography also dazzles. His ability to capture the gorgeous European locales and his equally photogenic actors, adds to the hypnotic feel of this most patient of spy thrillers. Yet while the majesty of its imagery dazzles, it is the anguish of this darkest of souls seeking a semblance of light, that will be remembered after the credits fade to back. Quickly a David vs. Goliath story is established as the embattled pair fights back against an impenetrable force, and director Doug Liman (The Bourne Identity) does a good job establishing a sense of injustice. However he also seems a little too gleeful in portraying many Republican officials as paranoid fear mongers. The most interesting moments are those which focus on this working family under extreme duress. Liman effectively delivers the message that the lives of patriots should never have to undergo such dire straits, especially those within the intelligence community who give their lives to their country, for little or no reward. Yet despite all of this, its furore feels muted, with Fair Game high on detail yet lacking in an emotional undercurrent needed to truly pull the viewer into this situation and feel for their circumstance.