Here’s the thing about The Interpreter — the opening scene is important, but I didn’t understand why. I don’t think they did a great job explaining (or even hinting at) what was going on. As a result, I was a little confused throughout the film
Nicole Kidman is the United Nations interpreter of the title. One night, she overhears something that sounds nefarious and alerts the authorities. Sean Penn is a Secret Service agent assigned to the case as part of the Dignitary Protection Service (a real thing, it turns out). He both has to investigate what the interpreter heard, but also prepare for the visit of the head of an African country that might be the target of the plot he’s uncovered.
Penn is playing against type here, in the sense that his character is quiet and thoughtful He doesn’t quite believe Kidman's character because she's from the (fictional) African country involved.
Again, the opening scene was important, and I didn't understand it until I read the Wikipedia plot summary later. (It didn’t help that I was watching this at the very end of 27 hours of travel to Nairobi.) The ending is a little cliched, but I enjoyed the appearance of Jesper Christensen. He played “Mr. White” (or “The Plae King”) in a number of Daniel Craig’s Bond movies.)
Is it a spy film? …maybe? It’s definitely a political thriller, but I was interested in usage of the Secret Service, which you don’t see used often outside of actual presidential protection.