The Interpreter

There are some – particularly within the US – who view the United Nations as a toothless tiger, bemoaning its constraints and corruption. Others are passionately committed to it despite its track record in Bosnia and Rwanda.

UN interpreter Silvia Broome (Nicole Kidman) is a true believer. A former resident of Matobo (a fictional nation in sub-Saharan Southern Africa) Silvia has seen firsthand the failure of violence to end violence. She believes in the power of words and the importance of diplomacy.

When she overhears a death threat against an African dictator she also becomes a target. She also has to convince a sceptical US government that she’s not making it up.

The dictator in question is Edmund Zuwanie, known as ‘The Teacher’. Once loved and esteemed by his countrymen and women, his rule has descended into corruption and cruelty. His stranglehold on the Silvia’s own homeland of Matobo has left thousands dead and the nation in chaos. According to the US government Silvia herself has good reason to want him dead.

Federal Agent Tobin Keller (Sean Penn) is charged with protecting the African leader while assessing the credibility of Silvia’s claim. Tobin has his own private sorrows with which to deal and soon becomes impatient with Silvia’s caginess and caution. 

The Interpreter was written by Charles Randolph, Scott Frank and Steven Zaillian. Randolph is an interesting figure in Hollywood. The son of missionaries, Randolph used to smuggle Bibles into Eastern Europe before becoming a screenwriter. The Interpreter is his second film and has well conceived and perceptive screenplay. Mercifully he shows a much lighter touch than in his first effort, the manipulative and sanctimonious death row drama The Life of David Gale.

Directed by Sydney Pollack, The Interpreter is a classy production. Kidman proffers a standout performance as the multilingual interpreter – she learnt the made-up language of Ku for the film – while Penn is flawless as the fractious and grieving federal agent.

Driven as much by its characters as its plot, The Interpreter is both compelling and moving. It might not be edge of the seat viewing but its portrait of grief and relationships is believable. Examining two different approaches to injustice and suffering – guns or words – the film opts for the cause of forgiveness and diplomacy. Indeed forgiveness is portrayed as being a vital part of healing.

There are many reasons why The Interpreter could fail. Opting for Sean Penn over the more typical leading men is a stroke of genius. It would be to imagine a Harrison Ford or Bruce Willis type of actor in the role which might sell a few more ticket but lose the nuance intrinsic to Penn’s performance. Given the subject matter this film could easily descend into melodrama or push for a more predictable resolution however both filmmakers and actors show restraint and the result is an elegant and meaningful film. 

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