The Interpreter (2005)

I saw this movie while on a plane and it was an OK way to pass the time on a long flight. It's a movie about a United Nations interpreter who overhears an assassination plot, prompting a depressed Secret Service agent to protect her.This movie lacks action and adventure and instead relies on its suspense and drama to make it entertaining. I thought Nicole Kidman pulled off her role very well, adding to the suspense which builds as the movie goes on. The complexity and the chaos unfolds as the plot gains momentum and, as a result, you have a pretty neat political thriller that gives the audience a somewhat inside look at the United Nations, the power it possesses and the potential abuse of power it could unleash.Overall, it's not a bad movie. It could have been more captivating given the potential the script had to offer and some added action and adventure would have made this a more exciting film.Grade C+

The Interpreter is a tense, taut, and tight thriller that grabs your attention from the opening scene. I was surprised at the fairly mediocre reviews because it's way better than that. It's nothing new and the story/script is a little weak, but the acting is incredibly strong and the film itself is very engaging and interesting to say the least.Sydney Pollack's film is about a U.N interpreter from Africa, Silvia who overhears a plot to assassinate the president of Matobo. After she reports the plot, she is named as a suspect and is kept a close eye on by Tobin Keller who works for the Secret Service. But Silvia is about to find out her own world may be crashing in on her.The acting is very strong and that is a highlight of the film. Sean Penn easily distinguishes himself with each movie and is very good and has a strong screen presence. Nicole Kidman, with her slight trace of an African accent, is also very good and I find this role to be one o her best.Overall, this is a political thriller that will keep you on the tightropes. It may not offer anything new, but it does offer some entertainment and a story worth remembering. This film is also known as Sydney Pollack's last film and I find this film to be a worthy example of all the wonderful films he made. As thrillers go, it doesn't get any more entertaining than this. I rate this film 9/10.

This is a decent political conspiracy thriller with solid performances and some interesting ideas. Nicole Kidman is a South African interpretor at the UN who overhears the whisper of an assassination plot. Sean Penn is a secret service agent assigned to investigate it. The main conspiracy plot is well executed and there's some exciting moments in the movie, as well as all the clichés you come to expect of this genre - staring through venetian blinds onto rain soaked streets, hunched over laptops drinking whisky and speaking into wrist cuffs whilst waving pistols. For me, Kidman's performance is the weak link. It's reasonable but there's something I don't buy about her. I don't believe her past and feel irritated by her at points - though in her defence, that's sometimes the script / director who get her doing stupid stuff like playing an African flute in a moment that borders on comedy. Other than the odd silly moment, The Interpretor kept me gripped and Sean Penn's hair was constantly entertaining. This would make a great double bill with Fair Game - also starring Sean Penn and Nicole Kidman, oh sorry, I mean Naomi Watts.

Cannot believe how underrated this movie is. There has got to be something wrong with the people who have rated it. It is extremely tough to add a touch of heart to thriller flicks and this movie had achieved it to the full. What's not to praise? Kidman's a treat, to look at, and when she more than holds her own against Sean Penn. Sean Penn is, as ever, imperious with his subdued, steely performance that turns so profound in the end. Add to that a brilliant script and you have got a humdinger of a movie. Layer upon layer of suspense unpeeling every now and then, yet so personal that at times it can move you to the core. The dialogues are crisp at the beginning, and as the story gathers speed everything else becomes redundant. I give it an 8 because I can't give it a 9, but I really wish there were an 8.5 button for this one.