The American

At first glance, a film set in the Italian countryside starring George Clooney would seem to have all the makings of a light and clever romance. This is not the case with The American. The movie, although it does have a hint of love story, keeps the tension of a gripping spy flick firmly in its crosshairs.

Jack, Edward or Mr. Butterfly (George Clooney)—we never learn his true name—spends his time dispatching one nameless bad guy after another, while still finding time to indulge in his unexplained obsession with butterflies.

Contrary to its portrayal in trailers, the film seemed more like a character study than a traditional spy movie. Through his fledging romance with a prostitute named Clara (Violante Placido), the audience learns more about the life of the otherwise reclusive subject than anywhere else in the film.

The American is without a doubt a movie more concerned with style than substance; long stretches of silence, beautiful shots of the Italian countryside and clever juxtaposition of scenes take precedence over dialogue.

Clooney is terrific as a focused, methodical but conflicted killer. Paolo Bonacelli plays an Italian priest, Father Benedetto, who serves as an appropriate foil to Clooney’s character and his sinful ways. Top it all off with a strong and chilling performance by Johan Leysen as Pavel, Jack/Edward’s cryptic handler, and The American boasts a gripping and well-suited cast.

Don’t go into this movie expecting a typical spy thriller with a nice, tidy ending. After it’s all said and done, we leave Mr. Butterfly’s life just as we found it: a vague, peculiar riddle. As a fascinating glimpse into the world of a secretive protagonist, The American shakes up the spy thriller genre in a very refreshing way.