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THE INTERPRETER (2005) (***)

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Silvia Broome (Nicole Kidman, THE HOURS) is an interpreter for the UN. One night she overhears a plot to assassinate a dictator named Zuwanie (Earl Cameron, THUNDERBALL), who will be visiting the UN for a speech. After she reports the incident, secret service agents Tobin Keller (Sean Penn, MYSTIC RIVER) and Dot Woods (Catherine Keener, BEING JOHN MALKOVICH) are assigned to the case. At first, Keller doesn’t believe Broome, because it seems kind of fishy that someone overhears an assassination plot in a language that she happens to know that most people in American couldn’t even understand a word of.

The film keeps the suspense level high throughout and the film is filled with strong central characters. The underlying message isn’t revolutionary, but it adds a topical intelligence to the film that has been lacking from thrillers since the 1970s.

Zuwanie is meant to be Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe, who was once praised as a liberator and now uses starvation as a political tool. This failed promise as a great leader plays a key part in Silvia’s life, for she was from his country.

Director Sydney Pollack (THREE DAYS OF THE CONDOR) knows how to handle this kind of material well. He’s also helped by Kidman and Penn, who give solid performances. Keener brings in a nice touch of humor to the film. She’s also a sidekick with a nice dose of dimension. The ending isn’t much of a surprise, but it plays well with the characters and enforces the overall message. THE INTERPRETER is a smart and compelling thriller.

Rick DeMott's picture

Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks