by Michael Dixon/KTAR (September 3rd, 2010 @ 8:05am)

George Clooney is good in "The American." But, it's not what you think. Some critics have called it "European." You might call it boring.

Clooney is living with a woman in an isolated cabin in Sweden. The lake is frozen. The woman is hot. They walk by the lake and someone takes a shot at Clooney. Clooney shoots the girl, and he's on the run. We don't know why. We suspect he's an assassin, but we're not sure. All we know is, Clooney wants out of the game—whatever the game is.

His handler sends him to a small Italian town to hide out, where he meets the aging village priest, who knows Clooney is not what he seems. (He tells the priest he's photographer). He's lonely, and the older he gets, the more he needs the companionship of a woman. He engages a call girl, and they become involved. So, now all the characters are in place — but with no place to go.

"The American" is a suspense movie, but not an action thriller—despite the poster and trailers. It's a thinking film about the wisdom that comes with age, and about transformation. It requires patience. Yes, there are moments of danger, of assassins lurking in the shadows. But, mostly, it's about weariness, weakness and betrayal. And no one would care, really, except for the performance of Clooney, who is stoic, but interesting; tortured, yet hopeful; mistrustful, but, well . . . you get the point. It's ultimately a tug-of-war between sin and redemption. And the force of Clooney's personality makes us watch. Is it worth the investment?" I think so. Just know it requires patience.

More sentimental than intriguing, said The New York Times. Without Clooney it would be boring, said the Arizona Republic: 3 ½ out of 5. Time Magazine called The American surely the dreariest thriller of the year. And I say 3 ½ half out of 5.

The American is rated R.

http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi447940121/