The American

George adora o campo italiano, e nenhum outro filme mostra melhor (mais belamente) do que este porque é tão... Corbijn é, além disso, um realizador com um nome artístico válido. À primeira vista, um retrato pouco excitante e triste de um assassino tranquilo, à primeira vista, um assassino pouco excitante e triste para alugar. Não é a primeira vez que é filmado, mas a primeira vez que é filmado de uma forma tão íntima, sem necessidade de ação, mas com uma constante sensação de inquietação e incerteza. Quando se sente sozinho e tem uma dose de whisky, é ideal. Apreciemos novas perspectivas sobre coisas antigas. A originalidade é (e será cada vez mais) rara no cinema. (20/01/2011)

The most stylish film of the year so far. Slow and simple? Yeah, but at the same time very well made, atmospheric and riveting. After some time, I’m raising the rating from four to five stars, the experience grew in me. Very nice alternative. Edit: I bring it back down to four, those five stars were too much :) (14/12/2010)

A few reviews say something like “like one of Melville’s movies"; which is more than accurate, but they fail to specify whether this is “like one of Melville’s worse movies" or “like one of Melville’s better movies". In my opinion, I simply add that The American is “like one of Melville’s best movies ever". In fact, it’s so good that it can stand up for itself and no such undignified comparisons are necessary. (20/11/2011)

I wouldn't say it's a fundamental film of today's era, but considering the significantly different reviews from users, it's a clear sign that a certain part of the fans demands a return to the film style of the 70s, which included a significant stream of content-experimenting creations, not based on plot but on atmosphere, acting, symbols, and hints. The American reminds me of the arthouse thrillers of the French New Wave, and I remembered Godard's film Breathless while watching it, where characters without a past also appeared and the audience clearly felt that they had no future either. Fans of dynamic action and a packed plot will definitely not be satisfied with The American, but those who want to enjoy playing a game with the director and top-notch acting may be content. Personally, the screenplay disappointed me a bit, as I expected more polished and fundamental dialogues, for example, between Jack and his psychological counterpart, the local priest, or between Jack and his successor Mathilda. The love story between a contract killer and a local prostitute is also a bit cheap. Overall impression: 75%. (09/03/2011)

The American seems somehow not anchored in time. It could easily have taken place sometime during the seventies or eighties and it would have worked just fine. Simply old school. Beautiful camerawork, Corbijn’s solid directing and excellent Clooney. Violante Placido is so beautiful it hurts. I have the biggest problem with how interchangeable the whole movie appears. In reality, it’s somewhere between 3 and 4 stars, but maybe I’ll change my mind after I watch it again. (29/07/2011)