The International Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A very serious man chases a very boring bank all over Europe because…reasons? And then they shoot up a museum.

🍿 The International: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Investigation Begins

Interpol agent Louis Salinger (Clive Owen) and Manhattan Assistant District Attorney Eleanor Whitman (Naomi Watts) team up to investigate the International Bank of Business and Credit (IBBC), suspecting its involvement in money laundering, arms dealing, and the destabilization of governments. Their investigation starts in Berlin, where an informant is murdered shortly after meeting with Salinger’s colleague, raising suspicions of a high-level conspiracy.

Following the Money Trail

Salinger and Whitman’s pursuit of the truth takes them across Europe. In Milan, they uncover an arms deal involving Umberto Calvini, an Italian prime ministerial candidate and arms manufacturer. Calvini reveals that the IBBC is purchasing missile guidance systems to control the debt created by conflicts fueled by these weapons. However, Calvini is assassinated, leading Salinger and Whitman to chase the killer to New York.

The Guggenheim Showdown

In New York, with the help of NYPD detectives, Salinger and Whitman track down the assassin. A massive shootout erupts at the Guggenheim Museum when a team of gunmen attempts to eliminate the assassin and Salinger. Though they escape, the assassin is mortally wounded. This dramatic sequence underscores the ruthlessness and reach of the IBBC.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Louis Salinger (Clive Owen): An Interpol agent determined to expose a powerful bank’s illegal activities, risking his life in the process.
• Eleanor Whitman (Naomi Watts): A Manhattan Assistant District Attorney who partners with Salinger to bring down the corrupt bank.
• Jonas Skarssen (Ulrich Thomsen): The ruthless chairman of the IBBC, who is willing to commit murder to protect the bank’s interests.
• Wilhelm Wexler (Armin Mueller-Stahl): A former Stasi colonel and consultant for the IBBC, who provides insight into the bank’s operations and methods.
• The Consultant (Brían F. O’Byrne): A meticulous assassin hired by the bank to eliminate anyone who threatens their operations.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Wilhelm Wexler: “Sometimes a man can meet his destiny on the road he took to avoid it.” – Wexler reflects on how Salinger’s attempts to avoid corruption led him to confront it directly.
• Louis Salinger: “There’s no point in arresting one man when the entire system is guilty.” – Salinger expresses his frustration with the limitations of the law when facing systemic corruption.
• Jonas Skarssen: “Control the debt, you control everything.” – Skarssen explains the bank’s strategy for manipulating global conflicts and power dynamics.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $50,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $25,450,527
• Worldwide Gross: $60,253,843

💥 The International Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, I saw “The International” and I have mixed feelings. Clive Owen is always a win, right? He plays the brooding, intense Interpol agent perfectly. The whole ‘banks are evil’ thing is definitely relevant. The Guggenheim scene? Wow! It was intense and visually stunning. However, the plot got a little confusing, and I felt Naomi Watts’ character was just kinda there. Overall, worth a watch for the action and Clive Owen, but don’t expect a mind-blowing story. It felt very realistic and made me think about the world’s financial structure.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Clive Owen and Naomi Watts”
  • “Viewers interested in political and financial thrillers”
  • “Those who appreciate movies with international settings and complex plots”
  • “People fascinated by stories inspired by real-world financial scandals”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence, including intense gunfights”
  • “Thematic elements involving corruption and international crime”
  • “Some scenes may be disturbing due to their realistic portrayal of violence”

Professional Reviews

• Roger Ebert: “Tykwer fills the screen with fascinating locations. Clive Owen is great, but Naomi Watts is unfortunately underutilized. The Guggenheim shootout is a masterclass in suspense and action. The ending, while a bit cynical, is thought-provoking.
• A.O. Scott: “The film is visually stylish and features strong performances, but the plot feels convoluted and emotionally distant. The Guggenheim sequence is impressive, but the overall impact is underwhelming. A competent thriller, but lacking a certain spark.
• Peter Travers: “Clive Owen delivers a solid performance, and the film boasts some stunning visuals. However, the story is ultimately predictable, and Naomi Watts is wasted in a thankless role. The Guggenheim shootout is a standout, but the rest of the movie struggles to keep pace.

Audience Reactions

The Guggenheim shootout was the most memorable and exciting part of the movie.: Viewers praised the film’s stylish visuals, Clive Owen’s performance, and the intense Guggenheim shootout, but many found the plot confusing or emotionally detached.

Clive Owen’s portrayal of the determined Interpol agent was captivating.: Many audience members appreciated the film’s exploration of complex themes related to international banking and corruption, while others found it slow or preachy.

Overall Consensus: A visually appealing and stylish thriller with strong performances, but suffers from a convoluted plot and lack of emotional depth, leading to a mixed reception.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The explosive shootout scene inside New York’s Guggenheim Museum was filmed using a full-size replica of the museum’s interior built in an abandoned locomotive warehouse. Construction took four months.”
• “Director Tom Tykwer is known for Run Lola Run (1998), and this film shares similarities in its fast-paced, globe-trotting narrative, but with a more serious and thriller-oriented approach.”
• “The film draws inspiration from the real-life Bank of Credit and Commerce International (BCCI) scandal of 1991, which involved money laundering, arms dealing, and support for terrorist activities.”

🖥️ How to Watch The International?

The International is available for streaming on platforms such as Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV, where you may be able to rent or purchase the movie. Check your local listings for availability on other streaming services. You can also find it for sale on platforms like Amazon.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The International, you might like these similar films:

• Michael Clayton (2007): Deals with corporate corruption and the moral compromises people make to fight it. It is a legal thriller with a conspiracy at its core.
• Syriana (2005): Exposes the dark underbelly of international politics, oil, and corruption. It is a complex, multi-layered narrative.
• The Parallax View (1974): Features a conspiracy where powerful forces manipulate events behind the scenes and investigates how far those forces will go to maintain their power.

🛒 The International Related Products

• The International (Blu-ray): Experience the visually stunning thriller in high definition. Enjoy the breathtaking cinematography and intense action sequences from the comfort of your home.
• Clive Owen Movie Collection (DVD): A compilation of Clive Owen’s most iconic roles, including “The International.” Dive deeper into his impressive filmography.
• International Bank Heist Board Game: Inspired by the movie, this strategic board game puts you in the role of an investigator trying to expose a corrupt international bank. Outsmart your opponents and uncover the truth.
• “The International” Movie Poster: A high-quality reproduction of the original movie poster. Perfect for decorating your home theater or office.

🎧 Soundtrack

The International features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Strange Brew” – performed by Cream
• “The International – Main Theme” – performed by Tom Tykwer

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

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If you’re a fan of intense action movies, then you’ll love this clip from The International. It’s a heart-pounding scene that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

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The Colony is a gripping sci-fi thriller set in a frozen wasteland, and this trailer gives you a taste of the film’s intense action and suspense.

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