The International (2009/I)

Director:

Tom Tykwer

Writer (WGA):

Eric Singer (written by)

Release Date:

13 February 2009 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Crime | Drama | Thriller

Tagline:

They control your money. They control your government. They control your life. And everybody pays.

Plot:

An Interpol agent attempts to expose a high-profile financial institution's role in an international arms dealing ring.

Plot Keywords:

Bank | Interpol | District Attorney | New York | Istanbul

Cast

Clive Owen	...	Louis Salinger
Naomi Watts	...	Eleanor Whitman
Armin Mueller-Stahl	...	Wilhelm Wexler
Ulrich Thomsen	...	Jonas Skarssen
Brian F. O'Byrne	...	The Consultant
Michel Voletti	...	Viktor Haas
Patrick Baladi	...	Martin White
Jay Villiers	...	Francis Ehames
Fabrice Scott	...	Nicholai Yeshinski
Haluk Bilginer	...	Ahmet Sunay
Luca Barbareschi	...	Umberto Calvini (as Luca Giorgio Barbareschi)
Alessandro Fabrizi	...	Inspector Alberto Cerutti
Felix Solis	...	Detective Iggy Ornelas
Jack McGee	...	Detective Bernie Ward
Nilaja Sun	...	Detective Gloria Hubbard

MPAA:

Rated R for some sequences of violence and language.

Runtime:

118 min

Country:

USA | Germany | UK

Language:

English | Italian | French

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

USA:R (certificate #44264) | Germany:16 | UK:15 | South Korea:18 | Ireland:15A | Finland:K-15 | Australia:MA (DVD rating) | Japan:PG-12 | Portugal:M/12 | Norway:15 | Sweden:15 | New Zealand:R16 | Philippines:PG-13 (MTRCB) | Singapore:NC-16 | Switzerland:14 (canton of Vaud) | Switzerland:14 (canton of Geneva) | Canada:14A (Alberta/British Columbia/Manitoba/Ontario) | Singapore:PG (edited version) | India:A (cinema release) | Mexico:B15 | Argentina:13 | Netherlands:16 | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Singapore:M18 (DVD rating) | Australia:M | Peru:14

Filming Locations:

59th Street Bridge, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Columbia Pictures

Trivia:

The film was inspired by the BCCI, or Bank of Credit & Commerce International, banking scandal, which took place throughout the 80s and into the early 90s.

Goofs:

Continuity: It takes perhaps 7-8 hours for the Calvini brothers' Consultant in the last real scene of the movie to surmount the last two steps on the rooftop because the sun has completely crossed the sky and is now heading toward sunset, based on the shadow directions in the scene immediately before, as he starts up the steps and then in the cut-to scene where he finishes the last two steps. (The backlit sunset silhouette of Salinger's head is dramatically striking, but that's a lot of poetic chronological license that's hard to not miss.)

Quotes:

Eleanor Whitman: We are just trying to get to the truth!
New York D.A.: I get it! But what you need to remember is that there's what people want to hear, there's what people want to believe, there's everything else, THEN there's the truth!
Eleanor Whitman: And since when it's that OK? I can't even believe you are saying this to me! The truth means responsibility, Arnie!
New York D.A.: Exactly! Which is why everyone dreads it!

Movie Connections:

References The Eye (2008)

Soundtrack:

Strange Brew

The International: Movie Review from The Massie Twins

Beginning like an episode of CSI, transitioning into the espionage action of 24, and closing like a Grand Theft Auto mission, The International doesn't fail to entertain - it just doesn't offer us anything we haven't seen before. Clive Owen gets another chance at being Bond and admirably handles the weathered protagonist as well as a few intense action sequences, most notably the stunning Guggenheim shootout. As with most modest thrillers, the hero only gets to be heroic for so long and then succumbs to the limitations of traditional nobility, adhering to what is acceptable conduct for the "good guy". The International teases us with the possibilities of rebellion, but when it can't bring itself to follow through, the audience is left slightly betrayed knowing justice doesn't win to the degree that it could have.

Interpol agent Louis Salinger (Clive Owen) tirelessly strives to bring down the International Bank of Business and Credit, a ruthless corporation he knows is funding terrorism and war. With the aid of Assistant DA Eleanor Whitman (Naomi Watts), Salinger uncovers the clues he needs to find a reliable informant, but as he draws closer to cornering his prey he witnesses firsthand the tragic collateral damage caused from confronting such a powerful juggernaut. As the death toll rises, Salinger must determine the price he is willing to pay to continue in his chaotic mission of justice.

Back and forth between Germany, France, Italy, New York and more, The International treats audiences to action and intrigue in some amazing locales. The most impressive sequence takes place in the Guggenheim Museum in Manhattan, involving the most unlikely ambush, machinegun shootout and bloody getaway. The setup for location-hopping and international espionage makes this feel like James Bond, except there isn't quite enough action, the pacing is a little slow, and the first act is reminiscent of a CSI episode. That's not entirely a bad thing - although the film doesn't know what it wants to be, the constant chases, high-speed pursuits and thrill of the hunt is enough to keep things generally amusing.

Protocol, procedure and jurisdiction always get in the way of justice. No one can handle the truth because of the immense responsibilities; stepping out of the boundaries of the law is crucial to success, and no real solutions can ever change the overwhelming corruption that seizes each aspect of every government. This isn't a new premise for Hollywood, and The International isn't relying on huge twists or extreme creativity to separate it from the commonplace action films opening on a regular basis. Audiences aren't likely to get the resolution or confirmation they're looking for by the end of this confused thriller, but as far as anyone should be concerned, the inconclusive toxin results, edited police statements, cover-ups and assassinations are no match for Clive Owen's powerful stare. It's all he ever brings to a gun-toting engagement, and it usually suffices.

- The Massie Twins