The Interpreter

What a great premise -- interpreter hears of an assassination plot, enlists the help of the feds, but is so shadowy and secretive we're unsure whether she's telling the truth. If only Sydney Pollack would have kept this thriller on a higher intellectual plane, say, more along the lines of Constant Gardener than The Bourne Supremacy. I can see that he was trying to channel Rear Window in terms of its style and class (that's what you should do if you have such high-profile and highly-skilled actors as Nicole Kidman and Sean Penn). What he ended up with was unique views of a unique building and a stilted plot trying gamely to enlighten us on opposing views of international communications -- United Nations diplomacy vs. terrorism. Really, the shots of the UN building in NY are astounding, and not just because most of us have never seen the General Assembly. It's astounding architecturally, and holds its beauty and power after 56 years. Equally surprising is Kidman's facility with the fake African language they concocted for the film. Even the elves in Rivendell didn't sound as convincing as she does. (It's a pity she keeps choosing films that aren't as successful as they should be; she is immensely talented and not given her due.) Penn disappointed me. It looked like he wasn't putting much into it, and that may have been an effect of his role being more supporting than leading. Essentially, a pity all around -- I wouldn't waste my time.

year: 2005
length: 128 min.
rating: 2.0
IMDB link: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0373926/combined