Seen on: February 14, 2009

The players: Director: Tom Tykwer, Writer: Eric Singer, Cast: Clive Owen, Naomi Watts, Armin Mueller-Stahl, Ulrich Thomsen, Brian O Byrne

Facts of interest: Tykwer also directed "Run, Lola, Run."

The plot: Clive Owen stars as an Interpol Agent trying everything in his power to bring down a ruthless bank involved in illegal activities.

Our thoughts: Tom Tykwer’s “The International” is an over-the-top, engrossing and fast-paced thriller boasting fine performances, a bunch of decent action and solid production values. It’s quite an exciting ride really… if you’re willing to suspend your disbelief for most of the film’s two-hour running time.

Clive Owen stars as Interpol Agent Louis Salinger, who will stop at absolutely nothing to bring down the IBBC, a powerful bank he strongly believes is involved in weapons acquisition and a variety of other illegal activities. Salinger is fully aware of the dangers of his investigation, but he won’t stop until justice is served.

And so begins the intense cat-and-mouse between Salinger and the ruthless bank leaders, who will go above and beyond to protect their business and eliminate everyone daring to interrupt their plans. Believe it or not, but in this movie, the banks control everyone and everything.

Of course, most of what you see in “The International” is rather implausible, but that doesn’t necessarily diminish the film’s entertainment value. Sure, Eric Singer’s script is convoluted and has its flaws, but the story also boasts enough intriguing moments and Tykwer did a great job at creating a fast-paced plot that easily engaged my attention throughout.

No, “The International” is not what I would call a sophisticated thriller, but it’s highly entertaining nonetheless. A bunch of vibrant action sequences (including an insane shoot-out at the Guggenheim) complement Salinger’s interesting investigation quite well, resulting in a harmless but enjoyable viewing experience.

As we know by now, Owen is perfectly capable of playing an action hero, and his Salinger is actually quite a compelling character. He’s a man who’s made it his mission to bring down a corrupt bank, and that’s all he cares about. Naomi Watts is giving him a hand as a stubborn district attorney, but her role is only half as fascinating.

Freaky quote: “I know that there has to be a way to bring down this bank." – Clive Owen

The final word: Don’t go looking for too much in “The International.” It’s a well-coordinated thriller with many ridiculous twists and an unrealistic intrigue, but it’s fun to watch. I can only hope Tykwer will be delivering more films like this one.

Article by Franck Tabouring