George Clooney's 'The American' reviews

George Clooney's "The American" hits theaters on Wednesday, September 1, 2010, just in time for Labor Day Weekend.  The thriller, in which Clooney plays an assassin, is based on the novel "A Very Private Gentleman" by Martin Booth. In 'The American,' Clooney's loner character Jack (although he also goes by Edward) seeks solitude in the Italian countryside where he works to create a custom-made weapon for female assassin, Mathilde, played by Thekla Reuten. If you're looking for a shoot-em-up with explosions and bombs, you might want to pass this one up. This is a true-thriller, spy-flick, along the lines of James Bond. Some have even compared it to a "spaghetti western."

The early reviews are in and here's what they have to say:

New York Times "The American" Review:

"This kind of character tends to be a man of few words: Clint Eastwood, Steve McQueen, Robert Redford in the 1970s, Alan Ladd in “Shane.” Mr. Clooney’s gravelly whisper and diffident, ironical air make him a natural heir to the tradition, and many of his roles — in “Syriana,” in “Michael Clayton” and even last year in “Up in the Air” — are variations on the strong, silent archetype. “The American,” filtering out any mention of the character’s history and suppressing all but the tiniest indications of emotion, tries to strip the man to his essence. But there is not quite enough there: the still waters run very cool but not terribly deep, and “The American” falls back into a view of its protagonist that is ultimately more sentimental than unsettling or intriguing. Mr. Clooney, shorn of his mischief and charm, does not possess the resources to suggest the state of existential torment that are crucial to the logic of his character. Instead he looks bored, tired, intermittently anxious and sometimes almost excited. At least he seems to appreciate the beauty of the scenery, human and otherwise. It’s hard not to when so little else is going on." Source: NYT

CBS's Celebrity Circuit: "The American" Review (Less is More in Clooney's Latest Film):

"You're either going to love this movie, or leave feeling incredibly frustrated, depending on how much patience you have and how much you love art films. For those who possess both aforementioned traits, the reward is a thoroughly minimalist approach to filmmaking and the chance to savor a supremely pure performance from the film's star, George Clooney, who lets his vulnerability and his flaws shine through." Source: CBS

SF Gate: Amy Biancolli Movie Review "The American":
"The American" has elements of a thriller, but it isn't one. Anyone who walks in expecting non-stop action will be sorely disappointed: This is, don't forget, a movie about a depressed guy cooling his heels in a quaint Italian village. A whole lot of espresso-sipping unfolds. In adapting Martin Booth's "A Very Private Gentleman," Rowan Joffe has produced a screenplay notable for its spare dialogue and minimalist plotting, but the windblown narrative shorthand has a downside. The supporting characters all adhere to Spaghetti Western stereotypes, and the tale is about as predictable as they come." Source: SFGate

Roger Ebert's Review of "The American":

"The American" allows George Clooney to play a man as starkly defined as a samurai. His fatal flaw, as it must be for any samurai, is love. Other than that, the American is perfect: Sealed, impervious and expert, with a focus so narrow it is defined only by his skills and his master. Here is a gripping film with the focus of a Japanese drama, an impenetrable character to equal Alain Delon's in "Le Samourai," by Jean-Pierre Melville."  Source: ChicagoSunTimes

In New Haven, watch "The American" at In New Haven, watch "The American" at Bow Tie Criterion Cinemas on 86 Temple Street or at Cine 4 at 371 Middletown Ave in New Haven.

In Hartford, catch "The American" at Palace 17 Odyssey Theater on New Park Ave or at the Criterion Cinemas at Blue Black Square on South Main St. in West Hartford.