Movie Review: "The American"

5. George Clooney does his Steve McQueen impression in "The American," playing a strong, silent type with a tough job and many loves.

4. Clooney has had enough of his job as an international weapons maker and dealer, a role that recalls McQueen's best work in "Bullitt" and the sparseness of dialogue in "Le Mans."

3. This isn't to imply "The American" is unoriginal or even an homage, but rather poured of a prime vintage — a recall of classic thrillers driven by believable action and the smoldering intensity of a leading man who has little patience for emotional diatribes or overt romantic sentiment.

2. "The American" drags a bit despite a tight 105-minute run time but much credit goes to Clooney who makes the most of his frames without the benefit of exposition.

1. In fact, this is Clooney's best work since "Michael Clayton" and a worthy segue from summer shoot-em-ups to the fall's Oscar hopefuls.

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"The American"
 Run time: 1 hour, 45 minutes
Rated R
Genre: Suspense-Thriller-Drama
Director: Anton Corbijn
Cast: George Clooney, Violante Placido, Thekla Reuten, Paolo Bonacelli
Finney's Flicks Grade: B