Clive Owen, Naomi Watts, Ulrich Thomsen

An Interpol agent (Owen) attempts to expose a high-profile financial institution's role in an international arms dealing ring.

Flixster Users

40% liked it

155,405 ratings

Critics

58% liked it

191 critics

R, 1 hr. 58 min.

Directed by: Tom Tykwer

Release Date: February 13, 2009

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DVD Release Date: June 9, 2009

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Stats: 8,817 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (8,817)


  • November 21, 2009
    I thought this was a good conspiracy action/ thriller with a good cast. It's a very entertaining film with a good plot, it's enjoyable watching all the plot lines unfold and the connections made to take them on to the next lead. The film is shot in many locations including New Yo...( read more)rk, Milan, Turkey and almost has a slight Bond, Bourne ultimatum feel to it. The shoot out at the Guggenheim gallery in New York has been one of the best I've seen since Heat. A solid well made film that should appeal to action, thriller fans or fans of the similar films mentioned.
  • October 9, 2009
    I was initially inclined to dislike The International. Its beginning was hard to follow and uninteresting. Thankfully, the movie quickly became more focused and involving, and continued to get better throughout. I'm glad to say that it ended up being one of the better thrillers t...( read more)hat I've seen this year.

    There are a few impressive action scenes, but The International is far from a mindless action movie. Constant attention has to be paid to the various characters to avoid losing all awareness of where the story is going. Even the basics of the plot are fairly complex, and they don't really boil down to "BANKS ARE EVIL", like the movie description suggests. I know that the phrase "intelligent thriller" is incredibly vague, but this would be a film that I would put forward as an example of what I think that term means.

    As for the cast, the inclusion of Cluve Owen and Naomi Watts was a smart move. Owen is at his unkempt, pessimistic best, and that fits his role very well. This is the best movie that I've seen him in since Children of Men. Watts is simply one of the most capable actresses around. Any movie with her in it is basically instantly better. And she might be 41, but I don't believe it.

    If you like the tone and camera style of the Bourne movies, then The International might be worth your interest. It's not as frentic or action-oriented as that series, but it does supply a similar kind of semi-cerebral entertainment.
  • September 24, 2009
    A perfect example of what an intelligent thriller should be. An exciting, stylish, pulse-pounding, brilliantly acted and terifficly well-crafted film. A great amount of espinoage and political intrigue that keeps it's smarts intact. It's a great slice of entertainment for anyone ...( read more)who likes great suspense-thrillers. It's like a James Bond film but except only smarter and way more entertaining. A stunning and exhilerating edge of your seat first-rate action-packed thriller. It's heart-pounding and adreniline-pumping from it's opening to it's action-packed finale. The gun battle in the middle of the film is one of the best and well-filmend action sequences since the shoot out in Heat. Clive Owen is riveting, giving an intense, hard-boiled and compelling performance. Naomi Watts is teriffic. They have dynamic chemistry on the screen. It hits all the right notes while balancing star power, action, suspense and hard-boiled entertainment all in one.
  • September 8, 2009
    Pretty decent movie. Nonstop action, so I was never bored.
  • September 8, 2009
    This movie was just like Mr. Testes.

    Stupid, pretty awesome shoot out, but ultimately stupid. Bingo bango Benny Blanco!
  • November 17, 2009
    decent...but you have to really pay attention or you'll miss something and probably get lost
  • November 14, 2009
    Had the potential to be a really great and relevant action movie but falls short due to a few too many plot holes.
  • November 12, 2009
    Nothing good comes from banks running society, as we all know so well!
  • November 12, 2009
    This was an alright movie but didn't understand last part where they intrgate the guy.
  • November 9, 2009
    A James Bond wanna be.. wasn't too bad. A nice bit of action and a semi good plot. It did keep us thinking on how to put the pieces of the mystery together.

Critic Reviews


February 27, 2009
Nigel Andrews, The Financial Times

The action is often crass, the location-hopping mere crisis tourism. But the acting and dialogue deliver. full review

February 18, 2009
Armond White, The New York Press

Though stylish, it lacks the aesthetic-moral force of such political thrillers as Francesco Rosi's Exquisite Corpses, Peckinpah's The Killer Elite, Spielberg's Munich or DePalma's Blow Out. full review

February 17, 2009
David Edelstein, New York Magazine

A slow road to nowhere, less clunky than The Interpreter but bogged down by its own cynicism. full review

February 13, 2009
Amy Biancolli, Houston Chronicle

The International isn't top-form Tykwer, but it's handsome and adamant, and now's as good a time as any for some out-of-control greedy-banker-bashing. full review

February 13, 2009
Pete Hammond, Hollywood.com

A globe-hopping suspense thriller with bankers as the villains. full review

February 13, 2009
A.O. Scott, The New York Times

The International, a sleek travelogue thriller, at least flirts with timeliness, winking at an angry and anxious public mood. full review

February 12, 2009
Stephanie Zacharek, Salon.com

The International is so self-assured, so assertive in its devotion to craftsmanship, that it proves Tykwer is continually building on his promise as a filmmaker, not squandering it. full review

February 12, 2009
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

OK, it doesn't tell you much about the role of banks in the current economic free-fall. But if you want to know, it's a humdinger of a stimulus package. full review

February 12, 2009
Claudia Puig, USA Today

It's a well-made and handsome drama centering on a powerful and corrupt European bank with ties to arms dealers. full review

February 12, 2009
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

I enjoyed The International. Clive Owen makes a semi-believable hero, not performing too many feats that are physically unlikely. full review

View more The International reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

Comments


  • AsianNorthOfThailandGeneration
    June 30, 2009
    Glitter Graphics">Adult Myspace Layouts


    " Secret . A lot of excitement with ' em shot & fought actions on the filmed .Have you watch it babe . "
  • welice93
    January 30, 2009
    Interpol Agent Louis Salinger and Manhattan Assistant District Attorney Eleanor Whitman are determined to bring to justice one of the world's most powerful banks. Uncovering a myriad of reprehensible illegal activities, Salinger and Whitman follow the money from Berlin to Istanbul. Finding themselves in a high-stakes chase across the globe, their relentless tenacity puts their own lives at risk as their targets will stop at nothing - even murder - to continue financing terror and war

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