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Year:    2005
Studio:  Studio Canal, Mirage Entertainment
Feature: 4/5
DVD:     3/5

The Interpreter is a thriller set in the United Nations. An interpreter, Silvia Broome (Nicole Kidman), happens to overhear a conversation in her native language of Coup of her native country of Matobo in Africa. Apparently someone wants to assassinate current Matobo leader Dr Zuwanie (Earl Cameron).

Nobody believes her but just in case the Secret Service Diplomatic Protection Services are called in in the persons of agents Tobin Keller (Sean Penn) and Dot Woods (Catherine Keener). There is a lot of buildup as they try to figure out Silvia's angle because she's not telling them everything. Silvia has her own secrets which unfortunately coincide with the plot against Zuwanie.

Things escalate, people die. Silvia's life is in danger and every 20 minutes it seems that some dark secret of hers comes to light. There is a bit of a romantic subplot between Keller and Broome, though come to think of it it's more of a mutual hurt/comfort relationship.

There are some sequences that are timed quite well, particularly the bus scene. Director Sydney Pollack brings us an interesting story, full of drama and two fascinating characters. It's a very good movie.
Extras

Alternate Ending (3 min)
Deleted Scenes (2:20 min)
Sydney Pollack at Work: From Concept to Cutting Room (10 min)
Interpreting Pan & Scan vs Widescreen (5 min)
Feature Commentary with Sydney Pollack
The Ultimate Movie Set: The United Nations(8 min)
A Day in the Life of Real Interpreters (8:20 min)


Copyright (c) 2005 Kevin C. Wong
Page Created: November 28, 2005 Page Last Updated: November 28, 2005