It's a dumb movie masquerading as smart but failing miserably.
The Interpreter (2005)
Runtime: 2 hrs 9 mins
Synopsis: Director Sidney Pollack's diverse career sees him returning to familiar ground with THE INTERPRETER. Crafted from the same mould that saw Pollack produce the superlative political thriller THREE DAYS OF THE CONDOR (1975), Nicole Kidman and Sean Penn star in a film riddled with subterfuge,... Director Sidney Pollack's diverse career sees him returning to familiar ground with THE INTERPRETER. Crafted from the same mould that saw Pollack produce the superlative political thriller THREE DAYS OF THE CONDOR (1975), Nicole Kidman and Sean Penn star in a film riddled with subterfuge, recriminations, and deadly secrets. Kidman plays Silvia Broome, an interpreter who works at the UN in New York City. One night, while collecting a bag she has left behind in the building, Silvia overhears a whispered conversation in which an assassination attempt on a redoubtable African leader, named Zuwanie (Earl Cameron), is planned during his future visit to the UN. Secret service agent Tobin Keller (Penn) is assigned to provide security for Zuwanie on the forthcoming trip, and conducts an investigation when Silvia explains what she has heard. He quickly discovers that Silvia has a lengthy, troubled past as a citizen from the same country as Zuwanie, and immediately doubts her story. A series of frantic, fast-paced set pieces ensue, with Pollack beautifully capturing the architectural wonder of the UN, and staging some breathtaking scenes all over the city. Much has been made of THE INTERPRETER'S status as the first film to be shot inside the UN, and it's to Pollack's credit that he wasn't overawed by such a prospect. Making full use of the building, the director highlights the hustle and bustle of a typical day at the UN, while also shooting eerily silent late night scenes among the famous halls and corridors. As Pollack piles on the tension, Penn and Kidman deliver exemplary performances alongside a prodigious supporting cast, who do justice to an intelligently written plot designed to keep viewers guessing right up until the final moments of the film. [More]
Genre: Thriller
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Sean Penn, Catherine Keener, Jesper Christensen, Earl Cameron
Screenwriter: Charles Randolph, Scott Frank, Steven Zaillian
Producer: Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Kevin Misher
Composer: James Newton Howard
DVD Info
Release:
Oct 8, 2007
HD-DVD Features:
- Snap Case
- Widescreen - 2.35
- HD-30 - Single Sided
Audio:
- Dolby Digital Surround Sound Plus 5.1 - English, French, Spanish
- Dolby Digital Surround Sound DTS 5.1 - English
- Subtitles - English SDH, French, Spanish
Additional Release Material:
- Commentaries - 1. Feature Commentary: Sydney Pollack - Director
- Featurettes - 1. "Sydney Pollack At Work From Concept To The Cutting Room"
- 2. "Interpreting Pan & Scan Vs. Widescreen"
- 3. "A Day in the Life of Real Interpreters"
- 4. "The Ultimate Movie Set: The United Nations"
- 5. Alternate Ending
- 6. Deleted Scenes
Reviews
This is largely a competent, successful thriller, but observing global politics from this perspective is an uncomfortable, frustrating experience.
In short, The Interpreter is an enjoyably old-fashioned movie that reminds you that thrillers don't have to be about big budget effects and explosions to succeed.
Its high-mindedness has obscured the thriller's basic function -- to deliver thrills.
A polished and preposterous thriller, The Interpreter offers two excellent actors a chance to show off, but it's not half as important as it thinks it is.
Yes, it's grappling with grown-up subject matter, but did The Interpreter have to be quite so lifeless?
A very old fashioned thriller that successfully uses tried and trusted techniques and craft but slaves them to a story reflecting very modern concerns and issues.
Offers something more meaty and topical than the pulling power of its glittering parts
They really don't make 'em like this anymore: tightly wound thrillers with a political relevance that adds newsworthy urgency to the drama and suspense.
High-class to a fault, and well-cast in every supporting role ... nevertheless burns with a very low flame.
It may not be a perfect film, but it's just nice to see a master at work.
Now we know actors are just that, but it's a little hard to suspend disbelief and buy Sean as a government agent out to foil an assassination plot, when just a few months ago he was out to assassinate Richard Nixon on screen.
The problem with all this sneaking around is that it is rarely ever all that suspenseful.
Not a great movie but a nice time and a welcome break from the season's nonstop torrent of interchangeable horror films and Ashton Kutcher comedies.
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