Hi, everyone. "Moriarty" here with some Rumblings From The Lab...
When Universal had to move the release date on this film, it set off a chain reaction that bumped SERENITY later in the year, which makes me want to break furniture. But I’ll try not to hold it against THE INTERPRETER when it comes out. Let’s see what today’s scooper had to say about the film...
Harry,
So, this is actually two reviews for the price of one… well… actually they’re both free. A couple of days ago I had zero to do after work and decided that I’d go catch a flick. The only thing that was starting at the right time was “White Noise” I bought my ticket, made my way up to the theatre and was stopped by a guy handing out fliers for Sydney Pollack’s latest “The Interpreter”. I’d seen the trailer for it and had decided a month ago that I’d see it when it came out. I got a flier, called the number on the front, and signed up.
And then I saw “White Noise”. My review, in a word, is abomination. That’s it.
So, fast-forward to last night at the Sherman Oaks Galleria. My friends and I got in line, received our tickets from the surly group that usually puts these screenings together (I swear, the only job qualification for these people is being a jerk). With a minimum amount of pain we finally got into the theatre and sat down. I noticed that Sir Sydney Pollack himself would be watching with us. He was munching on some popcorn and shaking hands. A woman got up, gave us ye ole’ “this is not the finished product, the music is temp, the picture quality will get better, yada, yada, yada, please stick around to fill out a questionnaire.
And then the lights went down.
“The Interpreter” stars Nicole Kidman as (big surprise) an interpreter. She works at the United Nations, and one night she happens to overhear a plot to assassinate an African president/dictator on the floor of the UN, while he’s giving a big speech. It seems this president/dictator is hated by many because he’s the ethnic-cleansi ng-kinda-guy. It also turns out that Nicole grew up in the same made-up country where this guy is now spreading peace and joy through mass murder. So, is she involved? Does her character have a few demons? That’d be a spoiler.
Sean Penn shows up as a Secret Service Agent assigned with the protection of foreign dignitaries. He investigates Nicole and her story about the assignation plot. They become “involved” and begin to develop a connection. They don’t do it… you pervs. He’s recently widowed and the timing just isn’t right.
Basically, the film is a slow paced thriller with some great sequences, but fails miserably in the third act.
My favorite sequence is when three different Secret Service Agent (who are all following three different people) all end up together on the same bus. When the Agents see their colleagues the looks of surprise and confusion are classic. Of course, if you’ve seen the preview you know the fate of the bus.
I would recommend this film, except for the horrid end…
MAJOR SPOILERS BELOW
Okay, so the aforementioned dictator gets to the UN, is not assassinated, has a quiet chat with one of the main characters, and ends up admitting to mass murder! He admits to the killings and will later be charged and jailed for crimes against humanity! How ridiculous is that?! That’d be liked Saddam all of a sudden saying, “you know what I’ve been a real bastard…” The brainless ending negates all of the smart direction, good dialogue, excellent performances by all of the cast, and the building suspense. Basically, it ruins the goddamn movie.
I wanted to yell, but Pollack was there, so I didn’t.
Ever yours,
GuyInTheBackRow
Wow. Maybe there’s still time to try and tweak it. Or maybe there’s more to it than this one guy suggests. Either way, we’ll get our chance to decide for ourselves on April 22nd when the film hits theaters.
"Moriarty" out.
