TRAILER: George Clooney's 'The American'

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“The American” is based on Martin Booth’s 2004 novel, “A Very Private Gentleman.”

Here’s the IMDB summary of the film:

Alone among assassins, Jack is a master craftsman. When a job in Sweden ends more harshly than expected for this American abroad, he vows to his contact Larry that his next assignment will be his last. Jack reports to the Italian countryside, where he holes up in a small town and relishes being away from death for a spell. The assignment, as specified by a Belgian woman, Mathilde, is in the offing as a weapon is constructed. Surprising himself, Jack seeks out the friendship of local priest Father Benedetto and pursues romance with local woman Clara. But by stepping out of the shadows, Jack may be tempting fate.

Here’s a snip from the Boston Globe’s review of Booth’s novel: [emphasis added]

He becomes a gun maker, tailoring weapons on commission for assassins. While he staves off any sense of guilt by claiming never to have killed a man directly, he boasts narcissistically: “My job is the gift-wrapping of death. I am the salesman of death, death’s booking clerk, death’s bell hop. I am the guide on the path toward darkness.”

With many of his guns used on political figures, he believes he is providing the means to “change the world.” He asserts: “All men want to make their mark, know upon their deathbed the world has changed because of them, as a result of their actions or philosophies.” His mark happens to be through destruction and death, but for him, it is not merely wanton or gratuitous. He finds meaning in his work, taking pride in a job that someone needs to do and that he happens to have the skills and inclination to do very well.

“The American” hits theatres September 1st.