The American

Say what you will about the big, tent-pole mainstream movies--they lay your motivations right out in front of you. Not so here. It's hard to say why we would root for George Clooney's hit man, other than the fact that it's George Clooney playing the lead role. But that does not necessarily equate to a bad movie. This one's moody and atmospheric, has some really nice Italian locations going for it, and the relationships between the characters--particularly Clooney's assassin and the town priest--are complex and interesting. And Clooney's minimalist performance and a well-turned plot combine to bring an involving sense of urgency by the end. If you're willing to deal with a movie that's somewhat opaque, you'll be rewarded by this one. Otherwise, stick to the front end of the googolplex.