The American

Director: Anton Corbijn

Run Time: 1 hrs. 45 min.

Rating: R

The Bouw-Man.

As popular as George Clooney is in real life, he seems to be at his best on the big screen when he takes on sort of a loner role.  Despite the success of the remade “Ocean’s” franchise, his turn in “Up in the Air” was by far his best work to date.  He definitely has as much charm as anyone in Hollywood, so it’s refreshing when he puts that to the test with some potentially unlikeable character choices.  His latest, “The American,” appears to fall into that category. 

 

Although it’s never actually communicated in the trailer, it’s pretty obvious that Clooney is playing some sort of assassin.  Unless I’m missing something, it appears he’s in Italy to do one last job.  Not sure if George is playing a “nice” assassin or not, but I’m sure at the very least we’re looking at a flawed individual who has some demons in his closet.  This is evident by the closing scene in the preview when he’s face-to-face with a priest.  Can’t think of a better way to get people interested then a good one-liner like, “I don’t think God is very interested in me father.”  Throw in some sex with a beautiful woman, and I think we have a movie.  “The American” may not be an Oscar-caliber film, but I think we at least have a quality picture worth our time and money.

Prediction.

September is usually one of the worst months for the movie box office.  After the big receipts from the summer, kids are going back to school along with their film patronage.  I think “The American” definitely will be the biggest money-maker of the Labor Day weekend, but that might not translate into a big payday.  Let’s say $16.5 million based on Clooney’s appeal.     

Opening Weekend Gross: $16.5 Million

Noodles.

If this trailer featured any other lesser known 'B' level actor, I would say that it looks like a rather dull looking film. Clooney, on name recognition alone, makes you take a second look. As the slow methodical music played, certain scenes reminded me of the Charles Bronson retiring  hitman movie 'The Mechanic'. You have the lone wolf at the end of his career being pulled into a final job and then making an emotional connection to a younger partner. Granted his sidekick in this film is a more visually stimulating choice that Jan Michael Vincent from back in the day. 

The whole trailer plays like this is going to be a very slow moving plot interlaced with a few almost "Borne" like action sequences. I find myself curious to see what's going on in the story but not intrigued enough where I couldn't wait until it hit DVD or HBO.

Prediction.

Clooney's box office power has waned a bit over the years. In all of the movies he's been in recently where he's been the most prominent draw, the films open at around $12 Million. Add in the fact that this type of film doesn't usually get a Wednesday opening, so in my mind the producers are trying to juice up their open by giving their film a two day head start. I think I'll stick with history and call this one at $12 Million, and I'll give it Two Million extra for the 2 day lead.

Opening Weekend: Gross: $14 Million

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