Cady's Take:

Silvia Broome (Nicole Kidman) is a U.N. translator who overhears a plot to assassinate an African leader who is scheduled to speak to the general assembly. Sean Penn plays Tobin Keller, a federal agent assigned to protect and investigate Broome.

Shot at the real UN HQ in New York, the picture looks terrific. Just don't expect substance beneath the sheen. The set up is a bit of a contrivance. Though, there are a handful of exceptional scenes, most notably a bus sequence that demonstrates what an efficient and effective filmmaker Pollack can be when he's at his best. If you go in expecting a great movie you will be disappointed, but if you are simply looking for a so-so piece of entertainment – The Interpreter will work.

Basically, the whole doesn't quite work, but there are parts that come together quite nicely.

Overall "The Interpreter" worked for me. Sylvia Broome (Kidman) is a U.N. interpreter who overhears what she believes is an assassination plot and subsequently she is involved in a cat-and-mouse game of international intrigue and semi-romantic danger with the Secret Service agent (Sean Penn) assigned to protect her. Both Sylvia and Agent Tobin Keller have baggage which contributes to some murky plot contrivances. Agent Keller's wife died two weeks ago so he isn't exactly at the top of his game, and Sylvia arouses suspicion in both her co-workers and Keller when it comes to light that the assassination attempt is on a leader from her South American homeland, and a man against whom she has a personal grudge.

Anyone with even a little knowledge of international politics will be interested to see this movie if for no other reason than it was shot inside the actual U.N. buildings. You will also recognize bits of Rwanda, Sierra Leone, and other war-torn African nations in the story that propels the assassination plot. Although there are holes you could drive a U.N. peacekeeping truck through (how does a woman with such a politically charged past become an interpreter at the United Nations?) the story is engaging and the performances are top-notch, given the less-than-perfect script.

"The Interpreter" looks great, sounds great, and plays well. This is an above-average movie with strong performances by Kidman, Penn, and Catherine Keener who plays Penn's sympathetic partner. I also love the little bit of Sydney Pollack that Pollack snuck in there as well. A solid choice for your weekend.