Director:
Syndey Pollack

Cast:
Natalie Kidman
Sean Penn
Catherine Keener
Michael Wright

Official URL:

http://www.theinterpretemovie.com

Country: USA
Rating: PG-13
Studio Name: Universal Pictures
Running Time: 2 hr 9 mins
Release Date: May 2005

Critics's Rating:
(3 1/2 Reels out of 4) 

May 2005

By Veronica Mixon

Sydney Pollack’s The Interpreter is a first-rate suspenseful thriller. Nicole Kidman (Cold Mountain and The Human Stain) stars as Silvia, an interpreter who overhears the plot to assassinate an African leader on an upcoming visit after she returns to work one evening to pick up some personal items. She’s certain she heard a threat and there is a possibility that she was seen before exiting the building. US agent, Tobin Keller (Sean Penn) doesn’t believe her because Silvia once resided in the African nation whose ruler is now under threat. And, he soon discovers that she was a member of the rebel alliance against that same ruler after her parents were murdered. Silvia tells Keller that she has changed and feels that by working at the United Nations, she can achieve more than carrying a rifle.

Pollack (The Firm) weaves a tense whodunit with a historical backdrop of African genocide and bloody politics that’s rarely seen in American cinema. It feels like something one hears on the evening news. The UN setting is wonderful and it’s the first time a film was actually shot on the premises. The intricate political and military set up of the UN is explored as well as the quirky personalities of the characters in the story.

Sean Penn plays a cop mourning his recently deceased wife. There is no need for chemistry between Penn and Kidman because the characters aren’t suppose to necessarily like one another. Penn’s distrust of Kidman seems smart and genuine. His no-nonsense, wise-cracking partner, Dot played by Christine Keener provides some laughs and it would have been nice if we saw little more of her. It was also good to see veteran actor, Michael Wright (Sugar Hill and The Five Heartbeats) in supporting role.

The Interpreter is clever, smart and timely as it mixes nuances of current events and modern day mysteries together. This film shouldn’t be missed.

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