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The International

By Kathryn Schroeder
Released: February 13, 2009
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Film Review
Production
What should have been a suspense thrilled movie is instead dry and uneventful with little if any action and a story that wants to be overly intellectual but fails.
Acting
Clive Owen and Naomi Watts, as Louis and Eleanor respectively, try very hard to make the situation they are faced with seem of the utmost importance and their need to solve the matter one of desperation. Due to the lack of substance in the film as a whole their performances come across as over-acted and a waste of energy for such a lackluster story.
Directing
Tom Tykwer had a misstep with his direction of this film. It lacks any sort of excitement or suspense and the overall tone is somber. He fails to interest the viewer in the story or keep a pace that would energize them as it develops. It is regrettable that the film is so poorly put together to the point he neglected to give it the action it greatly needed and the techniques of cinematography, music, and editing, to distinguish it as a well done dramatic thriller.
Action Sequences
If you are expecting action, you will be thoroughly disappointed. There are no real action sequences in the entire film. The most you get is a large amount of gun fire which is staged in a typical "hide, then shoot, then hide again" choreography that delivers a large yawn. As for the climax, blink and you may miss it for it is lifeless and provides no real satisfaction.

Genres
Suspense, Drama, Thriller, Action
Release Date
February 13, 2009
MPAA Rating
R
Running Time
118 minutes
Story Time
Days
Time Period
Present Day
Director
Producer
 
 
Screenwriter
Cast
 
 
 
 
 
Editor
Cinematographer
Music Score
 
 
Special Effects
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