--- title: "The Interpreter: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/the-interpreter/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/the-interpreter" critics_score: 54 critics_reviews: 10 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # The Interpreter (2005): what the critics said Critics' score 54 from 10 reviews: 1 positive, 7 mixed, 2 negative. The consensus is mixed: most critics find The Interpreter polished and capably acted, but less convincing as a political thriller than its serious manner promises. Praise centres on the performances of Nicole Kidman and Sean Penn, the cinematography and the use of United Nations locations. Sydney Pollack’s controlled direction also earns approval, particularly in the suspense sequences. Even several qualified reviews find it absorbing or enjoyable despite its plotting. Reservations cluster around implausibility, an overworked story and political ideas that remain vague or seem self-important. The leads divide opinion: Variety finds their chemistry lacking, while The AV Club singles out their relationship for praise. The spread runs from cautious approval to outright rejection, with The Guardian finding the film sluggish and short of suspense. Eye for Film likewise rejects the story as contrived and emotionally unconvincing, despite acknowledging the performances and occasional tenderness. ## Variety — Todd McCarthy Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 30 March 2005. McCarthy finds the thriller coolly absorbing, though its plot-heavy story and lack of chemistry between the leads limit its impact. He praises the U.N. locations and Pollack’s polished direction. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2005/film/markets-festivals/the-interpreter-1200526851/) ## Empire — Ian Nathan Fi1m's normalised score 65/100 (inferred from the text). 1 January 2000. Nathan finds the film solid, mature and finely acted, though its noble intentions sometimes make it daft. He particularly praises the bomb-on-a-bus sequence and Pollack’s controlled direction, while faulting the plot’s implausibilities. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/interpreter-review/) ## Screen Daily — Fionnuala Halligan Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). 1 April 2005. The page identifies this as a review, but the paywall conceals the critic’s verdict. No specific praise or complaint is visible in the accessible text. [Read the review](https://www.screendaily.com/the-interpreter/4022544.article) ## Time Out — DC Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). The critic's verdict cannot be determined from the accessible page. No specific praise or complaint is available. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/the-interpreter) ## Slant Magazine — Akiva Gottlieb Rating 2.5/4. 19 April 2005. The review finds the film handsomely shot and entertaining but ultimately innocuous and predictable. It praises Nicole Kidman and Sean Penn for bringing gravitas to their roles. [Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/the-interpreter/) ## Radio Times — Karen Krizanovich Rating 3/5. Krizanovich finds the film an engrossing political thriller. She singles out its distinction as the first movie filmed inside United Nations headquarters. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-nvjm3d/the-interpreter/) ## Total Film — Total Film Rating 3/5. 15 April 2005. The critic finds the film polished and enjoyable, but often implausible and less important than it thinks. They praise its cinematography, exciting set-pieces, and the appeal of its lead performances. [Read the review](https://www.gamesradar.com/the-interpreter-review/) ## The AV Club — Scott Tobias Fi1m's normalised score 55/100 (inferred from the text). 26 April 2005. Tobias finds the film skillfully made and performed, but hampered by vague themes and an overworked, implausible plot. He particularly praises the Kidman–Penn relationship, while faulting the political ideas for getting lost in the convoluted story. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/the-interpreter-1798200682) ## The Guardian — Rob Mackie Fi1m's normalised score 15/100 (inferred from the text). 12 August 2005. Mackie finds the thriller ponderous, clichéd and far less engaging than its subject suggests. He particularly faults its sluggish pacing and says the real UN setting cannot make up for its lack of wit or suspense. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2005/aug/12/dvdreviews) ## Eye for Film — Scott Macdonald Fi1m's normalised score 10/100 (inferred from the text). 20 March 2007. The critic pans the film as a shallow, contrived thriller lacking emotional truth. He praises the actors’ performances and the occasional tender moments, but says they cannot overcome the weak story. [Read the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/the-interpreter-film-review-by-scott-macdonald) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/the-interpreter.md