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Back Shelf Beauties
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The Interpreter Director Sydney Pollack gained unprecedented access to the historic United Nations complex while making The Interpreter. This authenticity comes through on the screen in ways that will thrill you, but the story and performances aren't overshadowed by the set. Almost everything works well in this movie. Nicole Kidman stars as Sylvia - an interpreter at the U.N. translating for her native, war torn African country, Matobo. Late one night, after a security evacuation of the building, Sylvia returns to her interpreter's booth to retrieve some personal items, but overhears a frightening conversation on the delegates' floor. Two people are plotting the assassination of her controversial, war criminal president, Edmund Zuwanie (Earl Cameron), and Sylvia fears they have seen her. Tobin "Toby" Keller (Sean Penn) is the U.S. Secret Service agent assigned to protect President Zuwanie when he comes to town, but, as he questions Sylvia, he's not so sure the interpreter coincidentally just happened to stumble across such vital information. Is Sylvia lying? Is she being set up? Is it coincidence? The Interpreter is a great, enthralling thriller with lots of twists and turns that keep you guessing until the end as the tension and drama rise. Most of this is because of the trio of amazing talent in this film, including Penn, Kidman and Pollack, but the script helps, too. Writers Charles Randolph, Scott Frank, and Steven Zaillian intellectually stimulate us by creating a complex web of deception with layers and layers of intrigue to draw in the viewer who wants to solve the mystery, while Pollack and editor William Steinkamp visually and emotionally stimulate us by combining sweeping shots of the UN, urgent background music in the score, and piece together scenes and cuts that add to the drama. Those who don't pay attention are at risk of getting lost or missing a key piece of the puzzle, but it's refreshing to be watching a movie where every detail and scene counts for something. Along with the great job done by those behind the camera, the people in front of the camera do extremely well, too. The Interpreter is full of understated performances. At times you might want to shake Penn to wake him up, but it's a better performance the more you think about it, and as you learn more about his character. He's not supposed to be chewing up the scenery and screaming conspiracy theories to anyone who can listen. Penn shows Toby as the emotionally damaged man he is as he tries to work through his personal pain while doing the job he loves. Kidman's character is equally emotionally damaged, but she gets several moments to show the fire of idealism and pain burning underneath the reserved, mannered outward appearance. She shines as we learn more about Sylvia and her experiences in Matobo, as well as her impassioned belief in the United Nations and diplomacy (it's nice to see her making a movie where she doesn't do her best Michael Jackson impression and jump into a bath tub with a 10-year old boy). Catherine Keener gets to be the comic relief and delivers well-timed wisecracks that don't take away from the seriousness of the movie. The Interpreter builds to a great climax, but Pollack and team allow Sylvia and Toby's relationship to become too personal, which leads to an ending that goes on and on beyond the point of belief, and well past the point the movie should end. Other than that, The Interpreter is a great film to see this weekend. 3 ½ Waffles (Out Of 4) Copyright 2005 - WaffleMovies.com
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