The Interpreter on DVD (2005)

Quality in any language

GeorgeLazenby from Greater Manchester , 16/04/2005

I saw this at the cinema, and to be honest, I'm glad I gave what looked like a conventional thriller a chance on the big screen. Handled with enormous panache by old hand Sydney Pollack, this is big-heated Hollywood professionalism at its very best.

Admittedly, I could watch Sean Penn and Nicole Kidman make toast, but they invest their roles with genuine commitment, and the adorable Catherine Keener provides admirable support. This is an extremely old-fashioned Hitchcock-with-a-heart style movie, with gleaming cinematography, two or three masterful suspense sequences, and even an idea rattling around for good measure. It's not a classic, but either as a night out or a night it, it's one to savour for the sheer pleasure of seeing top talent giving a decent thriller the attention and compassion it deserves.

Very highly recommended.

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Interpreter THIS (3.5 stars)

N Stafford from England , 27/04/2005

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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Stiff and predictable...

ATfilmcritic from London , 28/06/2005

Not even the combined talents of Penn and Kidman can breathe a wisp of life into this disappointing ‘political’ thriller, a thinly written, coldly efficient excuse to glorify the UN: ‘I believe in democracy, so I came to work here’ states Kidman in an extremely bizarre South African accent. That’s nice, Nicole.

Far from being intellectually challenging, this is a sentimental, barely competent blockbuster, filled with all the usual chases, shoot outs and assassination attempts we’ve seen a thousand times before.

It’s nice to see a mainstream flick with political aspirations, but this clunker has precious little to say; a well-handled sequence involving an exploding bus aside, it’s second-rate fare.

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great movie

Meg Smith - Josephs from Swanwick England , 18/09/2005

Thought this film was really gd both nicole and sean were really gd in it and i thougth the scipt was great and fast moving your never quite sure what side people are on it has a great end as well it's not what you expect

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Good, but slow paced.

A customer from Orpington, Kent , 24/09/2005

A very good, well acted political thriller.

Too slow paced and at times quite boring, trying to make too many statements just tell the story!!

Sean and Nicole great as usual. not as good as I was hoping for though.

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GRIPPING FILM,BUT TOO LONG

A customer from LONDON,ENGLAND , 11/09/2005

This film was an enjoyable watch,it was gripping. I would recommend it, but have a lot of snacks on hand as it does run for a long time!

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