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The American

Name: The American
Director: Anton Corbijn
Released: 2010
Duration: 104 min

Representation Score

1.4/10

Minimal

2010

Director

Anton Corbijn

Runtime

104 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

The film operates as a stylistic character study that emphasizes mood and existential solitude over social commentary. While it successfully deconstructs the traditional, aggressive masculine lead by highlighting vulnerability, this subversion is aesthetic rather than systemic. The film lacks meaningful representation of diverse identities and social frameworks, focusing instead on a narrow, individualized experience of isolation. The setting and cast remain culturally homogeneous, offering limited breadth in terms of identity or social complexity. Ultimately, the film avoids reinforcing hyper-masculine dominance but fails to engage with diverse social frameworks or the complexities of identity politics.

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Category Breakdown

Does The American have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film does not include any LGBTQ+ characters and focuses solely on the protagonist's isolation and his relationship with a female character.

How does The American portray gender?

Fair

The film avoids hyper-masculine stereotypes by showing the lead character as vulnerable and exhausted. However, the narrative remains male-focused, with the female lead primarily serving as a catalyst for the protagonist.

How racially and ethnically diverse is The American?

Limited

The cast is predominantly white and Eurocentric, reflecting a homogeneous Northern Italian setting. The narrative centers around a uniform social environment without diverse ethnic perspectives.

How does The American represent religion and culture?

Limited

The film presents a secular, minimalist worldview focused on individual existentialism. It portrays the protagonist as isolated from organized society without engaging with specific religious or institutional frameworks.

Does The American include disability representation?

Minimal

The film does not feature any prominent depictions of visible or invisible disabilities. Characters with disabilities are not used as narrative devices.

Present on Screen

Challenges traditional action-cinema hierarchies by avoiding hyper-masculine archetypes.
Highlights the male protagonist's profound exhaustion and vulnerability rather than dominance.

Limited or Absent

Lacks meaningful representation of diverse identities and social frameworks.
The female character lacks independent ability to act, serving mostly as a catalyst for the male lead.
The narrative remains centered on a narrow, homogeneous social environment.

Official Synopsis

Dispatched to a small Italian town to await further orders, assassin Jack embarks on a double life that may be more relaxing than is good for him.

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