:
Nicole Kidman,
Nicole Kidman,
Sean Penn,
more...
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Sydney Pollack,
Sydney Pollack
see all cast/crew...
: 
: Universal Studios
: Political Thriller
: 129 min.
: English, Spanish, French
: Spanish, French
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An overheard conversation leads a woman into a dark world of deadly intrigue in this political thriller. Silvia Broome (Nicole Kidman) is an African émigré who works as an interpreter at the United Nations. One of the languages she understands is Ku, a dialect spoken in her home country of Matobo. One day, as the General Assembly auditorium is being evacuated for a routine security sweep, Broome overhears a man speaking in Ku, who makes a cryptic statement that could be interpreted as a threat against the life of Zuwanie (Earl Cameron), Matobo's controversial ruler. Secret Service agent Tobin Keller (Sean Penn) is brought in to investigate Broome's story, and it isn't long before he's convinced that she knows more than she's willing to tell. As Keller and his partner, Dot Woods (Catherine Keener), dig deeper into Broome's story as well as her past, they discover a shocking tale of violence and corruption tied to Zuwanie's regime. The Interpreter was directed by Sydney Pollack, who also appears in a brief supporting role. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
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| So-So Interpretation of a Thriller
by talltale
September 26, 2005 - 7:44 AM PDT
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3 out of 4 members found this review helpful
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Sometimes, after watching six or eight foreign, independent or low-budget movies in a row, it's nice to slip a classy, expensive Hollywood film in the DVD player, then sit back and revel. Nothing great is expected save some intelligent, slick moviemaking. For about an hour or so THE INTERPRETER manages this pretty well. But then pomposity and pretension combined with some poor plotting and writing takes over until the viewer eventually cries "Uncle."
This is one of those films in which a lead character says "I'm not lying!" when she is leaving certain facts out of the picture. Trouble is, she's leaving out so MANY facts that another entire movie or two could be manufactured around them. Why on earth would filmmakers as usually savvy as Sidney Pollack (director) and Anthony Minghella (co-producer) load down Kidman's character with a back story long and heavy enough to choke a horse?
The nod to Africa--the contempt of its dictators, the needs of its people--is appreciated, but finally this falls into the trap of being the usual excuse for suspense, thrills and shock. Of which, there are some. But since the film is half an hour too long, by its end you may be shouting at the screen, "Stop the babbling and just SHOOT somebody!" And this, coming from me--a confirmed pacifist. |
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GreenCine Member Rating
(Average 5.44)
72 Votes
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