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THE INTERNATIONAL

Starring: Clive Owen, Naomi Watts, Armin Mueller-Stahl and Brían F. O’Byrne

Directed by: Tom Tykwer

Rated R for some sequences of violence and language

By John Delia

Filled with gripping suspense, action and awesome photography The International is a must see for adults who like a good realistic modern day thriller. Direction by Tykwer, acting by Owen and cinematography by Frank Griebe puts this film on top of my 2009 list.
Interpol Agent Louis Salinger (Owen) and Manhattan Assistant District Attorney Eleanor Whitman (Watts) are determined to bring to justice one of the world’s most powerful banks. Uncovering myriad and reprehensible illegal activities, Salinger and Whitman follow the money from Berlin to Milan to New York to Istanbul. Finding themselves in a high-stakes chase across the globe, their relentless tenacity puts their own lives at risk, as their targets will stop at nothing – even murder – to continue financing terror and war. When Salinger and Whitman get close to breaking the bank, all hell breaks loose.
Although it is early in the year for judging acting performances, Clive Owen is starting to make his move to top of the male acting food chain. His screen presence has been making a statement for a long time in films like Sin City, Closer, Children of Men, Derailed and Shoot ‘Em Up, with The International he proves his worth as the relentless international cop who pulls no punches in a quest to take down the biggest bank in the world. In the opening scene you see Owen looking at you with his hypnotic stare at the camera for several seconds, moments later he is this passionate character trying to save a friend. His acting ability reminds me of Michael Caine in Funeral in Berlin or Maximilian Schell in The Odessa File while they were on there way up.
Tykwer’s direction coupled with Griebe’s photography is impeccable, guiding the camera in and out of the action. Taking long shots of Berlin, Milan, New York and Istanbul he adds amazing visuals to the mix of action and intrigue. His ‘war’ scene in the Guggenheim Museum in New York should go down as one of the best action sequences in a decade.
The film is rated R for some sequences of violence and language so use caution when deciding to take immature youngsters to see the film.

FINAL ANALYSIS: A very good film for those who like films that thrill. (4 of 5 Palm Trees)











In The International, a gripping thriller, Interpol Agent Louis Salinger (Clive Owen) and Manhattan Assistant District Attorney Eleanor Whitman (Naomi Watts) are determined to bring to justice one of the world’s most powerful banks. Uncovering myriad and reprehensible illegal activities, Salinger and Whitman follow the money from Berlin to Milan to New York to Istanbul. Finding themselves in a high-stakes chase across the globe, their relentless tenacity puts their own lives at risk as their targets will stop at nothing – even murder – to continue financing terror and war. Directed by Tom Tykwer (Run Lola Run) from an original screenplay written by Eric Warren Singer, The International was shot on location in Germany and throughout Europe.