The Interpreter (2005, DVD)

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.