For fans of Ludlum style intrigue and suspense, The International is a pretty good offering with action, mystery, and a fair share of twists and turns.
The International is a film about an Interpol agent named Louis Salinger (Clive Owen), and his struggle to bring down the huge multinational bank, IBBC. IBBC is not just a bank, but is a facilitating corporation, using its legitimate banking face to hide weapons deals, international political actions, and consolidation of power. Salinger has been fighting the bank for years, and has watched lead after lead shrivel up and witness after witness disappear or die in apparent “accidents.” At every turn, the bank appears to be one step ahead of Salinger, and his partner, New York ADA Eleanor Whitman (Naomi Watts). As their leads dry up, Salinger and Whitman lock onto one man, the mysterious and elusive assassin the bank has been using to clean up loose ends, and Salinger begins a trip down the proverbial rabbit hole; a journey that will force him to choose between his ideals and the practical reality of the overwhelming power the bank holds.
The International is a pretty good thriller. There’s plenty of suspense and action, and a really good shootout scene staged in the Guggenheim. Shot all over the world, this film is closer to a Bourne movie than a Bond flick, and makes some smart choices as the story unfolds. The acting is decent, although Watts’ performance sometimes comes up a little short. The International is all business. There’s no silly love story side plot, no gratuitous sex or violence, no over the top stunt heavy action scenes. There is a lot of violence, some of it fairly explicit. This is definitely not a kids movie. The International is rated R for the violence and language. Overall, if you’re looking for a good action filled thriller, The International is a pretty good offering, especially considering the other movies in theters mostly include the latest Pink Panther disaster and “Paul Blart: Mall Cop.” (shudder)