The American (2010)

Ever want to see what Jason Bourne would be doing in his mid/late 40's?. Me either.
But let's say for arguments sake you did, you'd probably LOVE The American, starring one George Clooney as a custom firearm manufacturer trooping about Europe.

This unfortunately is another American film that thinks just because it's set predominantly in Eurpoean country, that it's a European film. While the beautiful Italian countryside shots (and for that matter, Beautiful Italian Women) keep your eyes wanting more, the story leads you DEMANDING more. the Term "slow burner" comes to mind while we go from "not much happening" to "some stuff's happening" back to "nothings happening" until we get to see George in a (kinda) sex scene. Not as much fun as you'd think.

While Mr Clooney does manage to convey a "been there, done that" sensibility to the performance (in a more grown up way than The Expendables) the whole feature still feels dry, and lacking a momentous and poignant conclusion I felt it was set up to be, instead we get a "so-so" final act where shit goes down and I feel neither uplifted nor deflated.

Clooney is on top form, can't doubt that, but this feature hardly keeps my on tippy toes for a huge resurgence in his career. Italian tits and custom guns make this a tantalising "manly" enough feature while picnics in the sun and George Clooney hold enough draw for women. I think. 5/10