The International [DVD] [2009]

The International is an extremely mature and meticulous conspiracy thriller. My adoration for cold realistic spy thrillers is well known. From the likes of John Le Carré film adaptations to technological conspiracy thrillers, there is something for everyone in this sub-genre. Despite the real world scenarios, these are not entirely accessible as many struggle to focus on the jargon and narrative structure. The International is that, but I do not see this as a detriment. Two special agents are tasked in investigating possible corruption within a fictional bank known as the IBBC. Anyone who gets close mysteriously disappear or meet their untimely demise, thus leading Interpol into believing illegal activity. Interestingly based on the BCCI scandal of 1986, it portrays how global finance can affect international politics. This is absurdly intelligent, I mean get ready to bring a notepad with you because by the end of this you will earn a degree in finance and politics. It is heavy. It is cold. It is not for everyone. Yet, it is constantly engaging. The script and direction really enhances this thriller to stand out above the rest...for the most part. Extremely concise dialogue. Fact one is interjected with fact two is then counteracted by fact three to only then be pushed aside by fact four. Super sharp and on point consistently. It's a riveting watch and entirely fascinating. Tom Tykwer's direction is clinically clean, and it suits this style of film. Focussing on the bright white architecture to enhance the grandeur of powerful corporations against one small man. The occasional action scenes were well filmed and edited. The shootout at the Guggenheim museum is one of the best ever and highly recommend you watch it. It's fast, tense and leaves you speechless. Especially when it comes out of nowhere! The production team constructed a replica of the museum, just so that they can rain bullets upon it. Now that is dedication. After this scene though, the plot dips and the film's conclusion is underwhelming...which is a shame. Not for everyone, but superbly made.

Unfortunately the disc is faulty and keeps glitching. Great film, however as I’ve seen it before

Clive Owen stars in this so-so political thriller. Well, I say political, but times have changed, and now it is corrupt bankers rather than corrupt politicians that supply our paranoid thrillers. Clive Owen is an Interpol policeman on a quest to expose corruption in a banks dealings with arms, allied with Naomi Watts' FBI agent in New York.The build in the story is good - harking back to the days of 70's thrillers where intelligence, style and suspense made for an effective mix. However, here the three have been distilled into separate sections of the movie.. the slow build with detective work followed by a suspenseful shoot out in the Guggenheim - one of the most effective set pieces of the year, and where a more sensible film would have found its climax. However, at that point we are only half way through, and the tone shifts gear as our hero goes rogue to achieve his ends, and the moralising disconnects rather than engages, as the plotting unwinds from its taut beginnings to end in an unsatisfying collection of frayed ends.Characterisation is slim, especially for Naomi Watts woefully 2 dimensional character, but the visuals are great. The director clearly has an eye for design and architecture, the camera relishing in some stunning locations. The locations often reflect the characters and moods of the movie, as we move from austere emotionless modern plazas and foyers around Europe, to shadowed columns as we meet the shady arms dealers, and the fascinating endless open rooftops of the final scenes as the film attempts resolution. However, although it marks the director as one to watch, as does the stunningly brutal and suspenseful shoot out set piece, this movie is ultimately a damp squib, which only scrapes by as a 3 star movie on the highs of the first half.

Really good story line and Clive Owen is a great actor and very under-rated. Would recommend this movie, realistic!

Intelligent action movie set in the Financial Industry and based on the True Story of the BCCI Bank.If you want to continue to think that Banking is boring - then don't watch this film.I watched the documentaries about the Film first -as it was late and I had to go to work the next day - and got an appreciation of the effort and skill that went into making this Film.Superb direction,script, cinematography and (as important) sound quality. Many Films now have unbalanced music backgrounds with mumbled speech which lacks confidence - not in this Film.Performances by Clive Owen and Naomi Watts were spot on - with the tension building up gradually and the adrenalin increasing at each scene location. All performances were well scripted and felt genuine.Opens with the sudden death of Clive Owen's Interpol colleague - while meeting with a senior member of the IBBC Bank. The scene where Clive Owen is forced to protect the very man that he's trying to capture is expertly performed.The implications of the subject matter of the Film are unsettling but based on fact.Overall: Entertaining, professionally executed and rewarding. The type of film to watch more than once. Destined to be a classic.

Fairly fast flowing story, not bad acting.

Disappointingly average.

A ripping yarn with an absolutely astonishing set piece - a shoot-out in Guggenheim Museum New York! Clive Owen rather intense in his part and a little annoying but a story, based on truth, well told and immaculately filmed across many cities. Iconic modern architecture is the other star, worth viewing for the fabulously opulent buildings alone. Worth watching the extra featuring how they filmed the Guggenheim Museum sequence.