Review of The International (2009) by Lars P — 02 Feb 2010

Clive Owen plays Louis an Interpol agent, who attempts to expose a German financial institution's role in an international arms dealing ring.

The International is a very handsome looking film, with a number of wonderful countries to exploit visually and for this the film is good.

Sadly one of the problems for the film is the pacing which is at times extremely pedestrian to a point where the film comes to a complete stand still almost. Another fault is a clunky script, which can be in parts over complicated, to a point that plot points are explained a number of times just to make sure the audience are following ok.

These faults can be aimed partly at the casting, Owen is always watch able, but Naomi Watts seems to have nothing to do and is both wasted and places and forgettable performance.

Still there are highlights, the impressive travel photography, and the centrepiece of the picture, an action sequence shoot out at the Guggenheim gallery which is impressive.

Overall an ok thriller, which seems to be clever and interesting at its core, but just falls short of an exciting or engaging picture.

For some of Tom Tykwer's better work check at the impressive Perfume: The Story of a Murderer.