The movie starts with a bang and the tension mounts with the open mike incidence at the UN center. Then, a lull phase kicks in with lots of fluffy subplots including background check, lie detector test, family history which drag it on and on. Those are perhaps needed for character development but could have been made more interesting. The tempo picks up after Silvia is put under 24 hr surveillance and with the ensuing events. Good acting from S. Penn and N. Kidman although she physically looks too soft and delicate for what she went through in her childhood and young adult years. The plot is sort of predictable but with good acting and directing, the movie is still enjoyable if you ignore the utterly puerile finale.

I saw this movie while on a plane and it was an OK way to pass the time on a long flight. It's a movie about a United Nations interpreter who overhears an assassination plot, prompting a depressed Secret Service agent to protect her.This movie lacks action and adventure and instead relies on its suspense and drama to make it entertaining. I thought Nicole Kidman pulled off her role very well, adding to the suspense which builds as the movie goes on. The complexity and the chaos unfolds as the plot gains momentum and, as a result, you have a pretty neat political thriller that gives the audience a somewhat inside look at the United Nations, the power it possesses and the potential abuse of power it could unleash.Overall, it's not a bad movie. It could have been more captivating given the potential the script had to offer and some added action and adventure would have made this a more exciting film.Grade C+

The film opens with a string of worn out Hollywood director's clichés - the man with a camera taking a snap and we see it in black and white - and they carry in predictable fashion on to the end, which couldn't come quickly enough for me. I watched this movie on DVD so got no wide screen to help it from limping from one dumb idea to the next. Hitchcock never took liberties with film. Things always got placed in the right spot. His dramas were high blown but they never came across as that. The more you try to be clever in movies the harder you have to work to keep the audience believing it the action. There are some who consider Ms Kidman has talent. I don't and there is no sign of it here. Just mannerisms. The same goes with Penn. A truly terrible movie.

The Interpreter is a tense, taut, and tight thriller that grabs your attention from the opening scene. I was surprised at the fairly mediocre reviews because it's way better than that. It's nothing new and the story/script is a little weak, but the acting is incredibly strong and the film itself is very engaging and interesting to say the least.Sydney Pollack's film is about a U.N interpreter from Africa, Silvia who overhears a plot to assassinate the president of Matobo. After she reports the plot, she is named as a suspect and is kept a close eye on by Tobin Keller who works for the Secret Service. But Silvia is about to find out her own world may be crashing in on her.The acting is very strong and that is a highlight of the film. Sean Penn easily distinguishes himself with each movie and is very good and has a strong screen presence. Nicole Kidman, with her slight trace of an African accent, is also very good and I find this role to be one o her best.Overall, this is a political thriller that will keep you on the tightropes. It may not offer anything new, but it does offer some entertainment and a story worth remembering. This film is also known as Sydney Pollack's last film and I find this film to be a worthy example of all the wonderful films he made. As thrillers go, it doesn't get any more entertaining than this. I rate this film 9/10.