Iffy for 16+
Taut, mature drama examines the life of a lone assassin.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that this slow-paced, suspenseful drama focuses on an assassin for hire (played by George Clooney), but it's neither an action film nor a thriller. It has some intense gunfights, but the real "action" is watching the quiet life of a lonely mercenary who longs for human connection but is always looking over his shoulder in fear. A few scenes include smoking and drinking, and there's a good deal of nudity (including full-frontal female) and some explicit sex. Teens expecting a violent spy film might be disappointed (and even bored), but more mature viewers may appreciate this intimate look at a solitary life spent on the run.
- Families can talk about how the media typically portrays assassins and spies. How is this movie different? Which seems more realistic?
- Who do you think this movie is intended to appeal to? Is it successful?
The good stuff
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Messages: According to the movie, the life of an assassin is lonely and filled with extended periods of solitary anxiety and a few brief moments of danger. The nature of the job precludes personal connections, and they always seem to be looking over their shoulder.
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Role models: The main character is clearly a professional and master of his craft, but the work is taking a toll, and his guard seems to be slipping. He makes the job seem soul-killing rather than glamorous, so it’s no surprise when he says he wants to get out.
What to watch for
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Violence: Several intense gunfights. The action scenes come up suddenly and end quickly, with enemies dispatched efficiently and without remorse. A few scenes show bloody bodies, including one dying assassin whose body has been mangled by an explosive.
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Sex: Plenty of nudity, including extended, full-frontal shots of a female prostitute and a brief glimpse of a man’s naked butt. One sex scene is particularly long and explicit, with lots of thrusting, writhing, a suggestion of oral sex, and a woman who appears to climax.
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Language: Not a lot of swearing. A couple of uses of "f--k," and one conversation has several references to “bastards.”
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Consumerism: A few European automotive brands are mentioned/visible, including a Fiat car and a Vespa scooter.
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: Some scenes show people drinking wine at dinner, and few feature harder liquor, though nobody appears to be drunk. A few people smoke cigarettes, including a half-naked woman who lights up after sex.
Fan Reviews provided by
2
Five Word Review by redyeah
dry stale not worth wait
1
Why? by Magnolia Fan
Can anyone say Solaris in Italy? I think all the excitement was in the trailer. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy a thoughtful movie as much as the next guy, but this movie just seamed so pointless. Clooney is a great actor and if not for his melancholy portrayal of the main character I would have walked out. Instead I stayed to see what was gong to happen. Was he going to get away with the girl, were they going to get him? Alas the end came as suddenly as the beginning... No spoiler here just my recommendation, rent this one..
1
the worst movie ever created by human kind by seanmm130
first off let me say that i am not one that criticizes most movies but this time i have made an exeption, every gun shot, action scene, suspensfull moment etc. in the movie is in the preview the rest is filled with silent close ups of george clooney, piano riffs, george exersising and or making bullets out of car parts. half way through my leg fell asleep and i was jelous for i could not do the same this movie is entirly predictable. in the midst of the american i found that it was more enjoyable to count the number of tiles on the cieling (320, to be exact, there were also 240 seats, 24 sprinkalers, 48 light bulbs and 52 un happy viewers) when the movie concluded more than half of the people had already left and the rest laughed and/or demanded thier money back. in the end if you are in need of a 100 minute nap and you have 20 bucks burning a whole in your pocket by all means go see the american. if that is not the case i would stay as far away as possable from this cinematic disaster
1
George Clooney stole my money... by mcfindley
It's been a long, long time since I wanted to walk out of a movie theater, but out of respect for those around me, I remained in my seat. It wasn't until the end of the movie that I realized I was not alone. Comments I heard leaving the theater included; "That's the worst movie I've seen in ten years."; "At least the popcorn was good."; "Tell me it's at intermission and the second act is better;"; and the like. One man did sheepishly say, "Well, I kinda liked it," to which his wife replied, "Well good, because I thought it was boring as hell." Most people were actually laughing about how bad the movie was as they left the theater. I've never seen that before. I wish I hadn't seen it, actually.
1
Good Advice: by Daviad
Save your money. Spend 2 hours watching the grass grow instead.
1
False advertising by mrpembry
The trailers for this film give the illusion that it is an action packed drama. The truth of the matter is the most exciting thing about this movie is the trailer and the fact that after 1hr 45mins you get to leave. One of the worst \ boring movies I have seen in a long time. I kept waiting for this movie to pick up steam, but it never got out of first gear. I WOULD NOT EVEN SUGGEST THIS AS A REDBOX NIGHT.
1
American Torture by moviefaninnc
I can't imagine anyone giving this movie a good review. Everyone who left the theater I was in couldn't believe George Clooney could create such a fiasco. Slow and boring fiasco ! This is a movie by George ,for George. all about George. George doing situps ,Gorge being sad . George being pensive, George having sex. George talking to a Priest, George chasing a mystery man. George killing a mystery man ,That's what it seemed like. Senseless! He could have been killed 100 times over in the first half hour. Unfortunately we had to wait painfully 1 hour and 40 minutes. I will say one thing, this is the first time I had dialog with movie goers while walking out of the movie. Most laughing that they actually stayed to the end ! I just wanted my money back on grounds of torture ! DON"T GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
1
This American should be exiled to Yuka mountain by jtseesitright
The acting is simply about constant close ups of Clooney's face moving from stoic to stressed to stoic and definitely not sexy. The story line has more gaps than the Clooney has admirers although he lost one (admirer that is) tonight. I think the writing on this movie took about 15 minutes to write because it was so sparse and in cliche's. I left shaking my head as to how I was duped by the high energy trailers and marketing for what turns out to be a boring movie with no purpose.
4
A Great American Throwback To The Days Of Old. by JDB728
I've seen many negative and positive reviews. Both are correct for the most part.
This movie is slow and steady, has a predictable, and slightly depressing ending.
While these are all true, and fair, criticisms, they ignore the point of the movie.
Simply put, it's a throwback to old school films(evidenced by the poster design) from a time when filmmakers relied 100% on character development, skillful acting, and cinematic style. It's great change of pace from the slew of horribly acted and poorly written films(such as "Twilight"), and horribly overrated films which completely rely on special effects in place of actual story and character development(such as "AVATAR".
If you want to see a throwback to old school stylistic coolness, this is a movie you should see. If you prefer the more typical films as of the past 40 or so years, I'd suggest staying away, as you'll likely inevitably be disappointed.
Thanks for reading, and happy watching.
1
Five Word Review by laasdango
whata snore and disappointing ending