joeranger
Sr Member
I just finished watching The American (2010) again, but this time with my wife. She loved it until the end and then said it was the worst movie ever made. I just don't understand women. She loved "Pretty Woman". Why not The American?
If you have not seen The American, it is a remake of Pretty Woman from the perspective of the male lead, George Clooney. He is a handsome loner who kills people instead of companies and then falls for a prostitute and finds love and salvation.
In my humble opinion, Violante Placido is a better prostitute than Julia Roberts and much more beautiful. She doesn't have that annoying laugh and she packs a gun in her purse. This may be sexist and unfair to Julia, but to really "sell" the role as prostitute you have to do more than take a bubble bath. Violante, as Clara, really goes above and beyond to make you suspend disbelief. There is an absolutely beautiful scene in the Italian countryside by the river where Clara has to pass the "test". Not what you think, you perverts; Edward decides if he is going to shoot her like his last girlfriend. The life/death element combined with the nudity is so much more powerful than the "Oh joy, you will love Opera forever now. Give me back the necklace".
Richard Gere vs. George Clooney? It's a toss up for me. They are both dark and brooding, very handsome and recklessly dole out cash to their "one and only" prostitute. Neither are very thoughtful or caring which is why they probably gravitate towards prostitutes. I really need the women to chime in here. IMO George Clooney works out a lot and shows his butt for the ladies but Richard Gere is quite the dresser. They are both obsessed with, yet bothered by, their work. They are using the prostitutes as an escape. As a guy, I really found the trade-craft of The American fascinating. Killing a mans life's work buy buying and breaking up his company is not as intimate as meticulously drilling out a tiny 5.56 and using an eye dropper to fill the cavity with liquid mercury. Don't worry! They don't show how to seal it up again. They do show how to make a suppressor out of garage parts. Oops. :eek
The annoying business partner. I am giving this one to Jason Alexander, even though Thekla Reuten plays a (very) hot assassin. She is as beautiful as she is terrible as an assassin. "I noticed the right scope ring screw was not sufficiently tight, please adjust it a quarter turn" Oh bull$h!t. You noticed that after 6 rounds? Bit@# Please!
Stucky = Costanza nuff said.
The mentor. I love the old priest, but Hector Elizondo just wins. Maybe its a tie.
The prostitute's best friend. Sorry Kit. This one isn't even close. Pictures & Photos of Anna Foglietta - IMDb
Cinematography. No comparison. The American in Italy in the countryside in a small village. It is so beautiful in its simplicity and majesty.
The American is a slow visualization of the guilt, fear and isolation of a hitman. Pretty Woman is a box office comedy smash hit.
Maybe it is a stretch to even compare the two movies. Some people might not even know one is a remake of the other. I almost wish I could have seen them in reverse order. Even though the American is so much more beautiful and has Violante's amazing talents, Pretty Woman has a Hollywood happy ending. Instead of thinking of it as a remake, I would like to think of it as a sequel. George Clooney and a naked Julia Roberts in an isolated snowy cabin. George thinking to himself; What have I done? Somebody please shoot me, dear god that laugh...where is my gun, come on Julia let's go for a walk on the frozen lake...
I will not be offended with conflicting opinions. Please share your thoughts if you have seen both films.
opcorn
If you have not seen The American, it is a remake of Pretty Woman from the perspective of the male lead, George Clooney. He is a handsome loner who kills people instead of companies and then falls for a prostitute and finds love and salvation.
In my humble opinion, Violante Placido is a better prostitute than Julia Roberts and much more beautiful. She doesn't have that annoying laugh and she packs a gun in her purse. This may be sexist and unfair to Julia, but to really "sell" the role as prostitute you have to do more than take a bubble bath. Violante, as Clara, really goes above and beyond to make you suspend disbelief. There is an absolutely beautiful scene in the Italian countryside by the river where Clara has to pass the "test". Not what you think, you perverts; Edward decides if he is going to shoot her like his last girlfriend. The life/death element combined with the nudity is so much more powerful than the "Oh joy, you will love Opera forever now. Give me back the necklace".
Richard Gere vs. George Clooney? It's a toss up for me. They are both dark and brooding, very handsome and recklessly dole out cash to their "one and only" prostitute. Neither are very thoughtful or caring which is why they probably gravitate towards prostitutes. I really need the women to chime in here. IMO George Clooney works out a lot and shows his butt for the ladies but Richard Gere is quite the dresser. They are both obsessed with, yet bothered by, their work. They are using the prostitutes as an escape. As a guy, I really found the trade-craft of The American fascinating. Killing a mans life's work buy buying and breaking up his company is not as intimate as meticulously drilling out a tiny 5.56 and using an eye dropper to fill the cavity with liquid mercury. Don't worry! They don't show how to seal it up again. They do show how to make a suppressor out of garage parts. Oops. :eek
The annoying business partner. I am giving this one to Jason Alexander, even though Thekla Reuten plays a (very) hot assassin. She is as beautiful as she is terrible as an assassin. "I noticed the right scope ring screw was not sufficiently tight, please adjust it a quarter turn" Oh bull$h!t. You noticed that after 6 rounds? Bit@# Please!
Stucky = Costanza nuff said.
The mentor. I love the old priest, but Hector Elizondo just wins. Maybe its a tie.
The prostitute's best friend. Sorry Kit. This one isn't even close. Pictures & Photos of Anna Foglietta - IMDb
Cinematography. No comparison. The American in Italy in the countryside in a small village. It is so beautiful in its simplicity and majesty.
The American is a slow visualization of the guilt, fear and isolation of a hitman. Pretty Woman is a box office comedy smash hit.
Maybe it is a stretch to even compare the two movies. Some people might not even know one is a remake of the other. I almost wish I could have seen them in reverse order. Even though the American is so much more beautiful and has Violante's amazing talents, Pretty Woman has a Hollywood happy ending. Instead of thinking of it as a remake, I would like to think of it as a sequel. George Clooney and a naked Julia Roberts in an isolated snowy cabin. George thinking to himself; What have I done? Somebody please shoot me, dear god that laugh...where is my gun, come on Julia let's go for a walk on the frozen lake...
I will not be offended with conflicting opinions. Please share your thoughts if you have seen both films.
opcorn
