It ends up being a run of the mill forgettable political thriller more or less. Everything is just alright enough about it. Pollack's direction isn't bad with some nice framing, a memorable location,and good camerawork but the plot is just so complex. It feels like there's three different subplots going on. One with Kidman, another with the actual assassination plot, and Penn's investigation. It's so hard to follow in the middle. The twist makes sense but there is no way anyone could get that from what came before. It's so jumpy and convuluted. The other problem is the acting is so emotionless. Penn & Kidman have about as much chemistry as North & South Korea have. Also, because we never really get a face on the bad guy and just get goons and people just show up once it's very hard to put a face to any of the conspirators as well. Add all that up and it ends up getting very boring. It's a interesting setup and the core murder plot is interesting but it just gets so distracted. Also, I don't get why you'd show the murders in Africa at the start. Clearly Kidman isn't behind it after what we saw so suspecting her and watching it all unfold for the first half feels pointless despite using it to establish character to. Skip this. I can't even say Pollack has lost his touch at this point for a last flick. He's always been prone to making borefests like this throughout his career. This isn't the worst one though for better or worse. It just needed to focus on the core plot, get better acting, and be able to put a face to the bad dudes.

Would have had so much potential, but it's frustrating how implausible the scenario goes. The plot relies on many holes, miscommunication and sometimes dumb behavior from the main character (Kidman).

Penn and Kidman were great. Interesting reverse plot development. At first, difficult to follow, but when the plot began to unfold, there were some"Ah-Ha" moments.

Two brilliant actors in a cluttered plot.

Well acted, but implausible. Seeing the would-be pseudo-assassin stationed up above has been done-to-death, yet nobody ever expects to consider it until the final mad dash.

Very nice thriller. Well written, played and executed. I wish "critics" would not diminish their own credibility by reviewing it based on politics than rather based on entertainment value... this is a must see classic.

This was a solid, well scripted, well acted, well directed tense thriller. I have no idea why the scores are so low, I even remember it being well received, not godfather levels, but still, a solid thriller.

Thriller piuttosto interessante perchè riesce ad evolversi intorno ad un solo e semplice evento come un possibile futuro omicidio; costruendo da lì una storia complessa, con diversi personaggi e con un finale abbastanza coperto per la maggior parte del film. I punti più deboli sono rappresentati dall'avvenimento che fa partire il presunto complotto, abbastanza forzato e dal personaggio di Sean Penn, noioso alla morte e ancor più scontato; vista la natura piuttosto pesante del film, sarebbe servito un poliziotto agli antipodi per dare un tocco di freschezza.

For an action movie featuring suspense, one only gets a taste if both, never a full meal. Neither Kidman or Penn are able to do much with the script, a script devoid of the kind of dramatic sequences both of these brilliant actors deserve. You have to wonder if they read them and if they did, why not demand changes, particularly ones that would have created a usable plot line. It were we to stay confused until the last moments of this regrettable novella gone bad. No truly believable performances and less interest in the main characters as the "plot" reaches its final resting place. Just grotesquely long, and woefully predictable. Find something else to do unless you are starving for popcorn.

The worst mystery & thriller (rated PG-13)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I liked this a lot. Nicole Kidman was tough.

a rather solid thriller

What a great movie, worse seeing again after a few years. The acting is amazing and the script intelligent, a real treat!

Completely unbelievable throughout both in terms of the plot and the characters. The idea of two people discussing an assassination after hours in a room full of microphones at the U.N. HQ was laughible. Even when the language you're speaking isn't popular, nobody with half a brain would discuss it in that location. Then the main character took ages to report it, nobody originally took it seriously, there were multiple silly assassinations and a terrorist attack that could have been prevented, the Secret Service were incompetent, the twist villain was blatantly obvious, the gun hidden in a trolley leg and bin should have been found when they searched the building, the main character shouldn't have gotten away with nearly assassinating someone, and all of the African politics discussion was a mess. The dialogue was poor, the pacing was dragged out, the characters were inconsistent, the action was short and forgettable, and the acting was bland. The cinematography, visual effects, and soundtrack were average.

This thriller movie was alright. Nicole Kidman, Sean Penn, Catherine Keener, and the rest of the cast did a decent job in this movie. The plot of the movie was dramatic, tedious, and kind of depressing. It wasn't as good as I thought it would be and I nearly fell asleep during the movie at certain times. If you haven't seen this movie yet, don't waste your time. It's not really worth watching.

This film is full of promise but delivers a flat tire. From a lack of character development, to implausible (not well thought out) background stories to painfully lacking chemistry between actors...this film is a time sink.

Just re-watched this again in 2020. The exceptional acting and complex plot made me realize what dross directors are serving up these days in comparison. While I originally found Kidman a bit wooden when I watched it in 2005, this time round I found her complex and enigmatic. Penn broods (as he always does) but I felt there was believable chemistry between them. I would have given it 4/5 or even higher but they fluffed the ending by chasing the American obsession with closure. Not quite as politically aware as say, Blood Diamond, but a refreshing change from the stale plots and CGI action we seem to get on endless loop these days.

Yeah, so Sean Penn is on the edge here... and not in a good way. Liked it a lot, but he doesn't bring much to the movie

A pretty good international thriller.

Well made but not remotely clever. You have seen it done better but if you like this kind of film you will have some enjoyment.