The American
Director: Anton Corbijn
Actors: George Clooney, Paolo Bonacelli, Violante Placido
PlotIn the idyllic Swedish countryside, a seasoned assassin named Jack narrowly escapes an attack and retreats to a picturesque Italian village to lay low. Under the guise of a quiet man interested in photography, Jack strikes up a cautious friendship with a local priest and edges toward a romantic involvement with Clara, a beautiful and kind-hearted prostitute. Despite his attempts at maintaining a low profile, the looming shadow of his past life constantly haunts him, keeping him perpetually on guard.
As Jack tries to complete one final assignment – crafting a custom weapon for a mysterious client – the tranquil setting contrasts starkly with the tension and paranoia that pervade his existence. While the village life offers him glimpses of normalcy and potential redemption, his enemies draw ever closer, and betrayals from unexpected corners force him to stay vigilant. Jack's internal struggle between his deadly profession and the possibility of a different life forms the crux of the story, leading to a series of events that unravel his hopes of leaving the assassin's life behind.
Writers: Rowan Joffe, Martin Booth
Release Date: 01 Sep 2010
Runtime: 105 min
Rating: R
Country: United States, United Kingdom
Language: English, Italian
Home Video Reviews
'The American' on Blu-ray impresses with striking video, immersive audio, and superb performances, but the special features are underwhelming. Highly recommended.
Read our review of The American Blu-ray to find out more