INTERPRETER (HD-DVD) (WS 2.35:1/1080P/DD PLUS 5.1 SUR/ENG/SPAN/FREN) DVD

The Interpreter
An overheard conversation leads a woman into a dark world of deadly intrigue in this political thriller. Silvia Broome (Nicole Kidman) is an African émigré who works as an interpreter at the United Nations. One of the languages she understands is Ku, a dialect spoken in her home country of Matobo. One day, as the General Assembly auditorium is being evacuated for a routine security sweep, Broome overhears a man speaking in Ku, who makes a cryptic statement that could be interpreted as a threat against the life of Zuwanie (Earl Cameron), Matobo's controversial ruler. Secret Service agent Tobin Keller (Sean Penn) is brought in to investigate Broome's story, and it isn't long before he's convinced that she knows more than she's willing to tell. As Keller and his partner, Dot Woods (Catherine Keener), dig deeper into Broome's story as well as her past, they discover a shocking tale of violence and corruption tied to Zuwanie's regime. The Interpreter was directed by Sydney Pollack, who also appears in a brief supporting role. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

Cast Nicole Kidman as Silvia Broome Sean Penn as Tobin Keller Catherine Keener as Dot Woods Jesper Christensen as Nils Lud Yvan Attal as Philippe

Crew Liza Chasin - Co-producer Debra Hayward - Co-producer Sarah Edwards - Costume Designer Sydney Pollack - Director William Steinkamp - Editor G. Mac Brown - Executive Producer Anthony Minghella - Executive Producer Sydney Pollack - Executive Producer James Newton Howard - Composer (Music Score) Jon Hutman - Production Designer Darius Khondji - Cinematographer Eric Fellner - Producer Tim Bevan - Producer Kevin Misher - Producer Martin Stellman - Screen Story Brian Ward - Screen Story Steven Zaillian - Screenwriter Scott Frank - Screenwriter Charles Randolph - Screenwriter Tim Monich - Dialect Coach Carla Meyer - Dialect Coach

The Interpreter
John Ford supposedly said the most compelling image you can put in a film is a human face. John Ford would have loved directing Sean Penn. As he moves into middle-age, Penn has not lost an ounce of his skill as an actor. He is unable to do anything that seems out of character. But now his face has developed lines that, along with the grey hairs at his temples, give him a lived-in-look that reinforces his ingrained authenticity. The scene that introduces his character makes no sense -- the viewer is given no information about why he is drinking alone, unplugging a jukebox, or listening to outgoing phone machine messages. But it is a compelling sequence thanks to Penn's talent and his look. You know the character is experiencing something deep and painful even if you have no idea what it is. Director Sydney Pollack knows how to use his actors well. Nicole Kidman's character is supposed to be more mysterious so she does not get to be as emotionally open as Penn, but she is his equal in their scenes together -- scenes that snap with sparkling multi-layered dialogue. Some might be understandably bothered by the use of African genocide as a backdrop for a glossy Hollywood hriller, but the film is about the characters more than the plot. The central relationship between the pair is so deftly played, written so note-perfectly, and directed with such respectful understatement that their give and take helps to keep the audience blind to the film's faults. A superb suspense sequence involving three different tailings that end up with all of the watchers and the watched on the same bus shows that Pollack still has a great deal of skill behind the camera. The Interpreter is slick Hollywood entertainment to be sure, but it works because Pollack understands the truism spoken by John Ford. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
 

Catherine Keener: Los Angeles Film Critics Association, Best Supporting Actress (winner) Catherine Keener: National Society of Film Critics, Best Supporting Actress (Runner-up) (winner)

General Specifications: Language Options: English, Spanish, French Subtitle Options: English, French, Spanish Sound Processing: DD2: Dolby Digital Stereo Additional Features: Audio commentary with director Sydney Pollack Sydney Pollack at work: From concept to cutting room: Check the get with director Sydney Pollack as he explains the challenges of filming The Interpreter Interpreting pan & scan vs. widescreen: Get an exclusive director's perspective on how choosing your film format can bring a new cinematic dimension to the story The ultimate movie set: The United Nations: A movie industry first - the cast and crew of The Interpreter lead you through the never-before-filmed rooms of the UN headquarters A day in the life of real interpreters: Meet the people who enable communication among nations Alternate ending Deleted scenes DVD Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1: Cinemascope MPAA Rating: PG13 DVD Discs Included: 1 DVD Sides: 1 DVD DVD Region Code: Content Length: 129 min