The American (2010)

Stylish and refreshingly different thriller directed by Anton Corbijn, who brings his photographer’s eye to every scene with the effect that the film looks stunning. 

George Clooney plays Edward, a hitman who moves from Sweden to an Italian village after his cover is blown. Taking on a new job, he’s then commissioned to build a specialist gun by an assassin named Mathilde (Thekla Reuten). While working on the weapon, he develops a relationship with a prostitute named Clara (Violante Placido). He also gets to know the local priest (Paolo Bonacelli) and begins a process of redemption. But dangerous people are out to kill him and he’s unsure who he can trust. 

It’s a little slow, initially, but you are encouraged to luxuriate in the beautiful shots Corbijn sets up until the narrative starts pulling you in. By the final third, it’s edge-of-the-seat stuff. 

Clooney is at his very best as an amoral man who begins to discover new depths in himself and starts to hope for a better life.  

There’s a lack of cliché, with enough twists that the ending cannot be predicted.