muons
The movie starts with a bang and the tension mounts with the open mike incidence at the UN center. Then, a lull phase kicks in with lots of fluffy subplots including background check, lie detector test, family history which drag it on and on. Those are perhaps needed for character development but could have been made more interesting. The tempo picks up after Silvia is put under 24 hr surveillance and with the ensuing events. Good acting from S. Penn and N. Kidman although she physically looks too soft and delicate for what she went through in her childhood and young adult years. The plot is sort of predictable but with good acting and directing, the movie is still enjoyable if you ignore the utterly puerile finale.
Sandy
The "interpreter" attacks current issues like terrorism and genocide. It illustrates our contemporary Western policy that chooses to cover up what is really going on in Africa. But it also shows the few strong individuals who want and dare to fight for democracy and change, and to me as a peace activist, it is very important. I also like the view of vengeance found in the fictional country of Matobo in Africa, becouse as Nicole Kidman's character tells "Vengeance is a lazy form of grief," And she also tells a very interesting story from Matobo: When a man kills a member of your family and is captured, he is tied up and thrown into the river, and it is up to your family to save him, or let him drink. If he drewns, you will have vengeance, but you will grieve all of your days. If you save him, you will be released from your lament. That's why I rank the movie as high as on the second place on my list over in my opinion the world's best movies.The second thing that makes this movie so good is the actors is Nicole Kidman makes a really good impression to me whit a vaguely South African accent and a little girl fearing peering out from behind her big-girl occupation. And Sean Penn matches here with a weary professionalism, a way of sitting there and just looking at here , as if she will finally break down and tell him what he thinks she knows. It's intriguing the way his character keeps several possibilities in his mind at once, instead of just signing on with the theory that has the most sympathy from the audience. Part of it obviously depends on Sydney Pollack's extraordinary direction.
Desertman84
Director Sydney Pollack delivers megawatt star power, high gloss, and political passion to The Interpreter.It features Nicole Kidman, Sean Penn, and Catherine Keener.This thriller is about an overheard conversation leads a woman into a dark world of deadly intrigue.In one of the hidden corridors of power at United Nations headquarters, translator Silvia Broome overhears a potentially explosive secret about a planned assassination attempt. But when federal agent Tobin Keller investigates her claim and digs deeper into Silvia's dangerous past, he begins to question whether she is a victim. As Keller and his partner, Dot Woods 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.As a straight-ahead thriller, the movie is enjoyable and stirring much of the time.Nicole Kidman and Sean Penn deliver smooth, understated performances while trading conspiratorial politicians for potential assassination.While the film distances itself from real-life politics, it softens its potential impact as a thriller about contemporary globalization and threats to international peace, but the personal drama between two people who gain a deep appreciation for shared anguish, without being artificially forced into romance adds a richly human dimension to the expert handling of the thriller elements of a complex yet easily-followed plot.It may not be a perfect film, but it's just nice to see a talented cast at work.
kalibeans
The reason I gave this movie a higher rating than most is because I feel Kidman and Penn did an outstanding job with their parts. I have the same problem with the script as everyone else, it was not believable in so many parts. But it's actually one of my favorite Kidman roles. I think she did a wonderful job with Silvia, better even than The Hours performance that garnered her the Oscar. It's an enjoyable movie, well shot. Pollack always does a good job with that. He was gone too soon. The supporting characters, both the ones that played Americans and the Africans gave good performances as well, especially Keener. Another added plus was the filming being done inside the actual UN building. I always consider it a plus when directors care enough to take the time and expense to shoot on location instead of totally in a studio. It adds to the fiber of a film. Well worth a watch!!
AD
