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Interpreter THIS (3.5 stars)
N Stafford from England,
27th April, 2005
Nicole Kidman and Sean Penn are both politically astute, liberal and upright, and there is no doubt that Penn supports the United Nations (Penn recently visited Baghdad and took out a full-page advert in the Washington Post, in which he criticised President George Bush for his war plans). Filmed in the United Nations New York city headquarters, the feature gives us more than just what Nicole Kidman calls, 'extra credibility'. With lines like, 'words are slower than bullet, but last longer', or such such -- it would be very hard to convince me that this isn't a sponsor project of the United Nations. 'Armageddon' for instance, was a sponsor project of NASA (it's true - look it up on the internet). The film crew there had complete access to the NASA facilities, and in response the script was very pro NASA (and Anti Sputnik Space Station -- NASA wanted the Sputnik brought down so Russia could concentrate on the escalating costs of the International Space Station - the Sputnik is now under the Ocean). Who knows what that the impact that such movies have on the general viewing public. Many Americans can't read, or think for themselves, and learn everything from the Movies - that's why Pearl Harbor was considered all the more a tragedy (yes, that 'Pearl Harbor is crap' is a running theme in most of my reviews). This movie is loosely based, on Michael McCann, the U.N. security chief. He was the boss of Michael Holton of West was found dead under mysterious circumstances at the UN. Headlines all over the world called it a murder - conspiracy theories abounded. The plot revolves around a United Nations Interpreter from a fictional African country who overhears an assassination threat - and yes of course - she is seen listening and hunted - and yes of course - her reluctant protector is the rugged Sean Penn. The movie is actually rather fine; great about 1/3 the way through - and then at 2/3 begins to collapse under the weight of its own emotional baggage. Penn tries to come across as too sincere, crying his eyes out for someone he doesn't even know (like a little bitch to be honest). I could only forgive him for this display if it was intentional, to weave his way into bed with Nicole. Some too heavy acting in light scenes (Sean: crying, bitching, and moaning like a stung wife; almost presidential garbled speeches about the United Nations) and some too light acting in heavy scenes (Nicole, not breaking a sweat while the killer's car is nearly riding her scooter), means that certain scenes miss their full impact. In some ways it's almost too slow for an action film, because this slowness is not made up for with clever dialogue and intrigue (watch the Manchurian Candidate for a clever political thriller). Nicole Kidman's South African accent also needs more work - it's a choppy ride from American to Australian - and only really sounds South African when she yells. Not a bad movie though - at all; definitely worth a watch - only don't expect a political thriller of the highest caliber; expect a good ride but not a roller coaster - and try not to fall asleep during the long, long ending sequence.
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