Posted By Andra Holbrooks on Sep 15, 2010

George Clooney plays Jack, an American assassin who specializes in making custom guns for his clients, in the new box-office hit The American. Released Sept. 1, the film brought in more than $13 million during opening weekend.

Director Anton Corbijn has a keen eye for dramatic cinematography. With a photography background, Corbijn framed each shot to perfection, which only enhances the mystery and drama of the film. His angles and camera placement set the movie apart from other assassin films. All of these aspects gave this movie 2 out of 5 bells.

After escaping from his enemies and having to kill his girlfriend in Sweden, Jack retreats to the countryside near Rome to protect himself from being murdered. This specific scene was a downfall in the plot. Clooney’s character faces many difficult decisions and makes horrible choices which ruins the movie, but perhaps those choices are ones an assassin makes.

Violante Placido, left, and George Clooney star in

There he begins his next assignment and meets Father Benedetto (Paolo Boncacelli). Jack then changes his name to Edward, posing as a traveling photographer. While protecting himself in the peacefulness of Italy, he falls in love with Clara (played by Violante Placido), a beautiful but unique character — not the typical religious, pasta-eating, family-oriented Italian woman.

His friendship with Father Benedetto and relationship with Clara develop while he secretly puts together a long-range rifle for his next assignment. Edward leaves his new friends questioning him, but they do not mention their suspicions — Father Benedetto and Clara have secrets of their own.

Edward (Jack) begins to imagine a life without killing as he whiles away his time with Clara. Walking away from the business seems tempting, but isn’t that easy.

This assassin/spy film isn’t action packed, but the suspense will certainly keep the audiences’ attention. Corbijn does create a great ’70s spy movie vibe using the beautiful scenery, but there are many nudity scenes that were unnecessary.

Let’s just say the end of this movie will keep one guessing. After all, how did they know?