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The Interpreter (2005, DVD)

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Movie Description
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.

Credits
Producer:	Eric Fellner, Kevin Misher, Tim Bevan
Cast:	Catherine Keener, Earl Cameron, Jesper Christensen, Nicole Kidman, Sean Penn

Details
Edition:	Widescreen

Editorial Reviews
"Pollock has pulled off an old-fashioned-seatbelt-tightener."
Uncut - Adam Sweeting (05/01/2005)

"Among its many accomplishments, this capacious and worldly drama directed by Sydney Pollack is a serious invitation -- a mature filmmaker's exhortation, really -- for Americans to engage globally..."
Entertainment Weekly - Lisa Schwarzbaum (04/29/2005)

"Kidman piles on dimensions to her character the more we learn about her spotty political past..."
USA Today - Mike Clark (04/22/2005)

"The first film ever to be shot inside the United Nations is a hot-button political thriller with a sharp, timely sting..."
Rolling Stone - Peter Travers (05/05/2005)

3 stars out of 4 -- "Kidman is wholly immersed, matching Sean Penn, as the Secret Service agent investigating her claim, intense glower for intense glower."
Premiere - Sara Brady (11/01/2005)

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The Interpreter ~ un certain bon, du mauvais

Review created: 04/28/05

by: drdevience -- a member of Epinions

Pros:
Kidman

Cons:
Predictable

It was Tom's birthday Tuesday so I let him pick what we were to do that day. He decided on a late lunch and a movie. He picked The Interpreter. That sounded alright with me. I mean I do like Nicole Kidman a great deal ever since I saw her in The Others. That's the film that convinced me she could actually act, and I have gone on to enjoy her roles in The Stepford Wives remake and The Hours. She nails it here.

On the other hand, Sean Penn just flat gives me the creeps. I don't know exactly why, but just seeing him makes me want to get all violent upside his head. No rational reason here, just one of those weird things that sometime happen in life. I can't deny that he's a good actor, but I still don't like him... and I didn't like him any better here.

Kidman is the Interpreter for the United Nations and happens to overhear a plot to kill the president of some small nation or other while in the building after hours. It's in a little-known language and they know she heard it too. Enter Penn as the Secret Service agent sent in to sort things out, and to give the story a bit of a love interest here and there. The game is on.

You won't find anything really new here. It's a game of International cat and mouse. You kinda know early on who the bad guys are if you're at all on the ball so there isn't really any surprises to be had here. Still, it's fun and it's fast paced and sometimes that's all you really want out of a movie. Right?

The Interpreter is Rated PG-13 for violence, some sexual content and brief strong language. Well yeah, all that. Even a place where it's kids doing the cold-blooded killing. Still, children really will have no desire to see this anyway. 13 and up.

I'm going with 3 stars and recommending this one for one of those times that nothing else you really want to see is playing. It's worth the matinee admission price for sure, but probably not full price. Just sit back and enjoy your popcorn with this one.

Review ID: 10000000002911868

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