The Interpreter

This is one of those increasingly rare Hollywood films where story, acting, pacing and character make the film as opposed to the flavor of the month pseudo talent and CGI. I could not disagree with Sean Penn more on almost every real life issue, but there's no denying the man can act. In this flick he plays a Secret Service agent trying to get to the bottom of skulduggery at the United Nations. Nicole Kidman is The Interpreter who may have unwittingly overheard something that puts her square in the middle of it. Penn looks worn an aged, no makeup that, he should probably lay off the booze and the butts. Kidman was excellent in this role. Her hair is always in her face before her eyes as if she were hiding. The effect is interesting because it draws you into her as if to understand her, similar to what Penn's character must have felt. For some reason she always surprises me with how good she is.
Since this film has been out awhile, I might risk a bit of a plot spoiler. One thing that I really appreciated is that Penn and Kidman's characters didn't hop into bed at first opportunity. It seems silly to have to point this out, but it would have ruined any credibility they tried to develop. I liked their relationship, how it came to be and what it meant to them.