Beginning with a conversation and ending amidst a longed for confrontation, Tom Tykwer's The International is supposed to be a fast paced film that crosses international lines and interests. Starring two of Hollywood's hottest stars, the film carried a wave of buzz into theaters, and sadly, it was all for nothing.
Possessing an inconclusive story, one-dimensional characters and only one intense shootout, the film that could, simply doesn't. Instead of delivering on its promises, it falls flat on its face; running nearly 20 minutes too long and canning Watts's Eleanor Whitman much too early. The end result is nothing more than a lame addition to the already overpopulated corporate investigation genre.
In the film, Clive Own plays Louis Salinger, an Interpol agent who must join forces with New York prosecutor Eleanor Whitman (Watts) to track an international bank's funding of terrorism. The chase, which takes the duo from Germany to Italy to New York and ultimately Turkey, is lackluster to say the least. The movements, rigid and unconventional, run together smoothly as the dilemmas are the usual and the loopholes well-known.
But then, among the many 'barriers' that prevent Salinger and Whitman from doing their job, the culprit in question nearly walks right into them. Out of nowhere comes their biggest 'break' of the film, and just in the nick of time. Now, clad with their guns and limited ammunition, the team can go in and get their guy, guaranteeing a conviction on the bank and finally put this whole matter to rest...right? Wrong.
Instead of dealing with the situation within the terms of reality, The International takes the long way around, prompting a shoot out and confrontation that helps set up the film's final message and evident conclusion.
The progression, though steady, is dull and lacks the necessary intensity to keep your mind focused on the story before you. The action, separated by long stints of anti-climatic dialogue, is low-key and boring. And the presence of billboards and signage for films like The Eye and the Anacondas sequel prompt one to believe that the film was actually shot over a year ago.
Do yourself a favor and pass on this supposed masterpiece. It isn't horrible, thanks in large part to one incredible scene, but it is more suited for a night on the couch than a $10 per person ticket.
