I should have known from the start that this was going to try my patience. In the opening scene a journalist is led into a dilapidated football stadium in a small African country for a meeting. But it's a trap and he is shot to death by a young boy. As he falls to the ground dying he says 'It's OK' to the youngster who has just gunned him to death. I think it's only fair to say that most people would be a little bit less philosophical in this situation. Not many I guess would use their last dying breath to explain to their killer that they understand that the political situation in their country has led them to murder a stranger and that it's understandable and not in any way their fault. What this cretinous little scene does do, however, is indicate, quite accurately, to the audience that the film that they are about to see is going to be worthy and tedious in equal measure. Moreover, as a thriller this movie has about as much edge as a packet of custard creams; actually, on second thoughts, considerably less so.
Nicole Kidman and Sean Penn make for a somewhat tedious screen couple. Everything about the trajectory of their on-screen romance is clichéd and trite. So much so, that it really is difficult to care for either of them. Kidman, the interpreter, is really unconvincing as someone with such a militant background, while Penn's hard agent with a soft centre is, at best, tiresome. The whole back-story about Penn's dead wife was I guess meant to add depth to his character, to give him a vulnerable side, but it really only came across as forced and obvious. The spectacle of Kidman relaxing at home like a shaman playing African pipes is a sight that sadly has the potential to make a cat laugh. As does the supposedly romantic scene where she has a telephone conversation with her protector Penn, both of whom face each other across the street from their respective apartments; it's meant to be poignant but it comes over as seriously cheesy. And when Penn offers to wash the blood from Kidman's face you could be forgiven for suffering a hernia due to uncontrollable laughter, such is the predictable triteness. I think it can only be fair to say that both actors must have been offered a hefty pay cheque for this film; I would very much worry about them if they signed on due to the great story and characterisations. I certainly hope they weren't 'excited by the challenge'.
You may have gathered that I wasn't entirely into this film. It was so safe and middle-of-the road that it singularly failed to provide any thrills, which would have made up for the rubbish central characters. But alas, no. If there was a band that this movie is the equivalent to it would have to be Mike and the Mechanics – dull, weary, faintly ridiculous and inoffensive to the point of offense.
Nicole Kidman and Sean Penn make for a somewhat tedious screen couple. Everything about the trajectory of their on-screen romance is clichéd and trite. So much so, that it really is difficult to care for either of them. Kidman, the interpreter, is really unconvincing as someone with such a militant background, while Penn's hard agent with a soft centre is, at best, tiresome. The whole back-story about Penn's dead wife was I guess meant to add depth to his character, to give him a vulnerable side, but it really only came across as forced and obvious. The spectacle of Kidman relaxing at home like a shaman playing African pipes is a sight that sadly has the potential to make a cat laugh. As does the supposedly romantic scene where she has a telephone conversation with her protector Penn, both of whom face each other across the street from their respective apartments; it's meant to be poignant but it comes over as seriously cheesy. And when Penn offers to wash the blood from Kidman's face you could be forgiven for suffering a hernia due to uncontrollable laughter, such is the predictable triteness. I think it can only be fair to say that both actors must have been offered a hefty pay cheque for this film; I would very much worry about them if they signed on due to the great story and characterisations. I certainly hope they weren't 'excited by the challenge'.
You may have gathered that I wasn't entirely into this film. It was so safe and middle-of-the road that it singularly failed to provide any thrills, which would have made up for the rubbish central characters. But alas, no. If there was a band that this movie is the equivalent to it would have to be Mike and the Mechanics – dull, weary, faintly ridiculous and inoffensive to the point of offense.