FILM: George Clooney as The American

8 out of 10

Clooney not hunting deer in The American

If you can get past the really really off-putting title, the film itself is actually pretty good.  George Clooney has the consistent knack of not being particularly likeable, whilst appearing in extremely likeable films.  Syriana, Burn After Reading, Up in the Air and now The American.  It's a fairly simple setup.  Clooney plays a man in the kill business wanting out, and is sent to a small town (in Italy I think) to complete one last job.  A relationship develops, and complications ensue.  Straight forward?  Admittedly yes, but the American does the little things, a little different, and it works to keep you on edge for the entirety of the thriller.  On a better day, the film could've aspired to more, but ultimately does enough to become a worthy addition to any personal BluRay collection.  Well mine anyway.