Movie

A friend and I went to see “The American” yesterday afternoon.  Suffice to say, it is a really good movie although the previews are deceiving.  The previews seem to show a movie like the Bourne movies full of action and gunfights.  The movie isn’t like that.  It’s quieter and more contemplative.  And, when I say quieter, I mean much quieter.  Hardly any background music at all.  Which was kind of refreshing since real life does not have a sound track.  I don’t have suspenseful music playing when I am doing something that is difficult and then triumphant music playing when I succeed at something.  Why is it so many movie makers seem to feel like we won’t be able to tell if someone is happy, scared, sad or any other emotion unless we have music telling us what to feel?  Actually, now that I think about it, it is kind of insulting that they just don’t let us watch the movie and figure out for ourselves the emotions the actors are trying to portray.  Because, frankly, the emotions that George Clooney displayed were evident in themselves and music wasn’t needed to show what he was feeling.

Anyway, back to the movie.  I really did enjoy it although the ending confuses me. In the interest of not spoiling it for those who haven’t seen it, I’m not going to tell you what was confusing.  I hate it when people spoil movies by telling key plot lines.  I did read one review about “The American” about two weeks ago that gave away a key plot point at the beginning of the movie.  I won’t tell you what it is because, unlike that reviewer, I don’t want to spoil it for you.  Granted it was at the beginning of the movie but it ruined a surprise that otherwise would have been really effective if I didn’t already know it was going to happen.  I didn’t tell my friend what was going to happen and she really was surprised.

I am planning on seeing the movie again when it comes out on DVD.  I have a bunch of friends who really wanted to see it but had scheduling conflicts and couldn’t come.  We could have put it off for a few weeks but sometimes it is hard to tell how long a movie will be in the theaters and there is a strong possibility that a month from now, when six or ten or more of us could have gone together, the movie wouldn’t have been in a theater around here. One of the drawbacks of living in Maine.  But, since I am confused by the ending, when we have a movie night after it comes out on DVD, I’ll see it again.  Maybe then I will understand why what happened happened.  Or maybe I’ll buy the book the movie is based on and read that.  That might explain the ending of the movie.  After all, I am looking for a new book to read.  And it gives me an excuse to go to the bookstore, one my favorite things to do.  Any reason will do to buy another book to add to my library.

Anyway, if you get a chance to see “The American” while it is in the theater, I do recommend it.  Well worth the price of admission.