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The Interpreter (PG-13, 2005)

common sense media says

This intense thriller is best for older teens.

parents & educators say
See all 5 reviews | Review it

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this movie includes realistic representations of shooting deaths (in the first scene, committed by adolescent boys) and a terrorist bomb attack on a bus in Brooklyn. The political intrigue is occasionally complicated, involving discussions of assassination, genocide, racism, and the desire for revenge. Characters drink, smoke, and use some mild language (they also name and drink Starbucks coffee).

Positive messages: This movie deals with heavy themes including racism, genocide, and the desire for revenge.
Violence: Realistic representations of shooting deaths and a terrorist bomb attack.
Sex: A scene in a strip club with a lap dance; dancer wears a thong and is scene topless from behind.
Language: Some profanity.
Consumerism: Starbucks coffee is visible and mentioned by name.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Characters drink and smoke.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on The Interpreter

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about the U.N.'s roles in world peacekeeping and diplomacy, as well as recent turmoils in Sudan, Rwanda, or Zimbabwe. Families can also talk about the way that children are affected by daily and traumatic violence. Is vengeance the only or most effective response to violence? How do you know when you can trust a friend or a colleague?

What's the story?

What's the story?
THE INTERPRETER begins in Matobo, a fictional African nation, where a group of adolescent assassins kill two men who come to see a hidden mass grave. U.N. translator Silvia (Nicole Kidman) overhears an assassination threat when she's in U.N. headquarters after hours. Authorities are suspicious of Silvia's report, so they bring in Secret Service agents Keller (Sean Penn) and Woods (Catherine Keener). As Keller feels drawn to Silvia, her story turns more complicated, with more dead bodies, genocide in her homeland and murders and terrorism plotted by associates of the Matoban dictator Zuwanie (Earl Cameron). Though Silvia has her own grudge against Zuwanie, she tries to convince Keller that her interest in only incidental. Zuwanie plans an address at the U.N. (an effort to cajole the West/U.S., to maintain power), and Silvia is put under surveillance by the cops, the FBI, Zuwanie's security detail, and the apparent assassins. Keller discovers Silvia's past participation in rebel activities, and she seems related to a bomb on a bus in Crown Heights (the explosion and aftermath are harrowing).

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

Sydney Pollack's thriller is at once topical and abstract. While its subject matter is immediate (African genocide, U.S. intelligence agency confusions, personal and collective traumas), it maintains a certain distance by setting its political and economic strife in a fictional nation that resembles Zimbabwe. The opening imagery is quite explicit.

The script alternates between preposterous and poetic (some of Penn and Kidman's exchanges are lovely), and leans heavily on coincidence. It's also troubling that Silvia's individual trauma tends to displace the genocide in Africa, a life-and-death issue that is slowly gaining more media attention, in fiction and other forms. That a white woman bears the visible burden of this violent history, however, obscures the high costs for black Africans, a conventional strategy to attract "mainstream" (white) viewers.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Universal Pictures
Director: Sydney Pollack
Cast: Catherine Keener, Nicole Kidman, Sean Penn
Genre: Drama
Run time: 128 minutes
Theatrical release: April 22, 2005
DVD release: October 4, 2005
MPAA Rating: PG-13
MPAA explanation: violence, some sexual content and very brief strong language.
This review was written by Cynthia Fuchs
 
 

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What parents & educators say

Most useful reviews by all members

xotitanicox
teen, 16 years old
13
 
Great movie!
Nicole Kidman is great in this captivating thriller. Enjoyed it all the way through!
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helped me decide (6) | had useful details (2) | read my mind (3)
paigeturner89
adult
 
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helped me decide (2) | had useful details (3) | read my mind (4)
Spanglish82
adult
 
Great!
This movie was great, but very violent. It had an amazing plot, that led to a suspensful ending. I am being honest, and would say this movie isn't for people my age, even though it was great. Nicole Kidman did a superb job as her character. I would recommend to kids my age who are mature and up.
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ski123
adult
 
Good suspense..............but.............im confused
The movie was very suspenseful (in a good way: not too scary but keeps your attention) and had lots of action. The only problem is the plot. It is a good idea, but at the end I had ????? in my head. I did not understand the assasination at the end of the movie at all. Well.. i dont want to give away the ending so i wont say anymore. I would not recommend this for children at all because I can see how other parts in the movies would be confusing as well. It is an action movie where you have to listen closely to the dialogue. You may want to watch the movie with your family so the adults might be able to explain to you what is going on.
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CSM Screen ...
adult
 
Complex story and charcters make this film good
Not for kids under 14. Very complex story and it has a mild sex scene. The movie is great but it has a horrible ending but its still worth seeing.
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helped me decide (3) | had useful details (2) | read my mind (2)

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