Excellent movie. Like the feeling of a Fredrick Forsyth novel has turned into a movie. Well, its adapted from a novel of another author (A Very Private Gentlemen ~Martin Booth) , perhaps he also likes to detail out things like Forsyth.
They publicized the movie as if it would be the next Mission Impossible, or some James Bond/ Jason Bourne adventure. Plus presence of George Clooney also gives certain expectations- it would be a fast thriller with action scenes, fast music and witty dialogs thrown in between. This movie wasn't any of those, and perhaps that's why the movie failed- it would have totally disappointed if I had gone to theater with those expectations.
But watching at home, days after I had forgotten the publicity during the days of releases, I could see it alone at leisure and enjoy the slow scenes. Scenes shot at close or medium distance where Clooney is shown making the rifle or just sitting & waiting. Scenes spanned over several minutes showing minutes tasks of his trade, i.e. making rifles for assassins. Little things giving a feel of meticulousness that a world class craftsman must exhibit- without much ado he tells his client that he has already walked the river bank for miles, on both sides, to ensure they can safely test the rifles there; when putting the bullets in box, he puts the box on its side ensuring they are packed better, ensuring his hammer throws coincide with the tolling of church bell. Of course, the director has his own sense of humor- while giving this feel to a lay viewer, he leaves enough very obvious loopholes to amuse an expert. So when I read more about the movie- I got to know the rifle specifications rattled off by him are not suitable (too noisy model for a supposed to be very quite assassination), the mercury poured over the bullets must have been covered by wax, the packing of bullets must have been done with gloves on.
Overall, these scenes give an idea about the character that Clooney is playing. To me the movie seemed just that- depiction of a character and little change that it can go through in a period of few weeks. Not much of a story behind the character- nothing about what is his history, why he is the way he is; just what he is. In the very first scene he kills his lady partner coolly, and I thought she was perhaps deceiving him. But with later scenes I realized that this was just a normal thing for him- closing all connections in this cold blooded manner has become very instinctive for this guy. He is just a loner and keeps his connection with other humans to the minimum. Unless really needed, he doesn't talk. When needed, he speaks the very minimum needed. He has his physical needs and in a very matter-of-fact way he handles them through prostitutes. Without flinching he can change his name from Jack to Edward and the director doesn't even allow you to be shocked or impressed by it.
Few sex scenes, few dialogs at the brothel & restaurant and you know slowly he is melting- he is getting tired of his lonely life and would like to settle with a companion. And then finally, when he gets shot his pumps his fist at the steering wheel in disappointment- angry at oneself about being careless when he was so close to his retirement.
Overall it was such a joy to watch this movie. Will recommend to all my friends.
Only one thing was bit irritating- number of times it felt like the movie was massaging the ego of its American audience- as if all the times Italian think of nothing but America-At the very first opportunity a lady character asks if Clooney took take her to American with him; only words that an English listener can understand from the song in restaurant are 'Americano Americano'; the restaurant owner is so proud that hero of a famous Hollywood movie is an Italian. But well, it should be my misunderstanding, as later I understood that including the director, a big part of movie crew was non-American.
