We saw "The Interpreter" last night -- the new thriller from Sydney Pollack starring Nicole Kidman and Sean Penn. Before I get to the movie... I understand why the mega-plex movie theaters are all the rage. They have been widely seen as saving the cash hemorrhaging movie theater companies because they allow them to show more movies to more people at less cost. We, however, generally like to go to some of the classy, older theaters, especially the theaters with the big screens. There aren't many of those around anymore. We have DC's grand daddy of theaters, the Uptown -- which regularly wins the WP's best of the best awards -- is located in walking distance from us. (Another bonus for an eco-freak!) Unfortunately, the single theaters are just not nearly as convenient. We got back from running around at about 6:30, and of course the movie started at 7p. That just doesn't leave enough time to walk the dog and do the stuff that needs to be done. So we end up seeing it at the Georgetown mega-plex. (It is also nice, however. They remade Georgetown's old incinerator. Part of the building is now a Ritz-Carlton hotel and residences, and the other are theaters.) Anyway...
So we went to see "The Interpreter" and we had fairly low expectations. Despite Metacritic's findings, the reviews I saw were not great -- Slate.com, NYT, and the WSJ. So it was difficult to not beat my expectations. But this movie really did. As you know, I don't like to give away too much of the movie. Suffice it to say, this is a thriller of international intrigue set inside the United Nations and New York. It is not Penn's finest performance ever. That being said, a bad Penn performance is better than most other actors. There are too scenes where he is a bit over the top. But it is still a good performance. Kidman does an excellent job, as always.
There were a few things that just seemed implausible -- the final scene, for example. (I don't want to give anything away, so I'll just leave it at that.)
Overall, it was a very enjoyable movie.
Grade: B-... Thumb up... three stars... 6 out of 10... whatever grading system you are most comfortable with...
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