The American

Jack is on what appears to be his last assignment in Castel de Monte,a small town in northern Italy. He has to customise a rifle to fire like an automatic with a good range for a colleague who calls herself Mathilde. When they meet they take the rifle on a test-run,and speak almost nothing of themselves,save for Mathildes assertion that Jack doesnt have a woman in his life. But he does have a woman: a striking prostitute named Clara who knows Jack as Eduardo. Jack is chased by a hit-man who he deals with.

Anton Corbijn and screenwriter Rowan Joffes narrative is lean on drama. Much of the plot,action sequences and chases are reminiscent of the thrillers of the 1970s. The sequence of outfitting the rifle and the mercury-tipping of bullets is a leaf out of The Day Of The Jackal. The scenery and the Italian countryside are an eyeful thanks to Martin Ruhes fetching cinematography.

George Clooney has played too many con artistes and spies,and has never been better. He doubles up as a romantic hero. His acting is fine,as are the performances of the other actors particularly Paolo Bonacelli as the priest and Violante Placido as the prostitute.

The American lacks the fast pace and exciting chases of an action thriller. Its a bit too leisured and gentle.

RATING: One star for direction and script. One for performances and cinematography