"The Interpreter" is the long anticipated political thriller about a United Nations interpreter who claims that she overheard a threat against a dictator. Some advanced press was gained because the studio felt obligated to put a disclaimer at the end of the film saying the film doesn’t necessarily reflect the ideas of the motion picture company. Evidently, today’s political climate is so heated that even making a pro United Nations film is considered potentially controversial.

The film is entertaining and absorbing most of the time, but it is more like a well-oiled machine that works well than a visionary work of art.

With the great cast and director I expected a little more.

It was directed by long time movie veteran, Sydney Pollack. He achieved his peak early on with "They Shoot Horses, Don’t They?" (1969). But some of his other films such as "Absence of Malice" (1981) and" "Tootsie" (1982) were also excellent. Pollack himself appears as a government official in the film, but his appearance doesn’t add that much to it.

The film has a distinguished cast featuring Nicole ("Eyes Wide Shut") Kidman, Sean ("Mystic River") Penn, and Catherine ("Being John Malkovich") Keener.

Zuwanie is the iron fisted ruler of Matobo, a fictional African country. Silvia Broome (Nicole Kidman) is hired to translate his half truths at a speech that is scheduled before the United Nations. Silvia reports that she overheard a man’s voice talking about a plot to kill Zuwanie in the UN chamber during his speech. Tobin Keller (Sean Penn) is the CIA agent that is assigned to get Zuwanie in and out of the country. If he were to be killed in the USA, the repercussions would be terrible. Tobin doesn’t believe Silvia but after several attempts on her life are made, he is forced to protect her as well.

The seemingly opposite Silvia and Tobin irritate each other and they have different philosophies. In a fiery discussion, Silvia explains why she thinks forgiveness is preferable to vengeance and Tobin defends the virtues of revenge. Of course, as they begin to spend more time together they begin to look longingly at each other. There is some romantic yearning in Kidman’s performance, but I failed to believe that Penn’s character was falling for her the same way. But perhaps he wasn’t supposed to be totally smitten with her.

Penn’s work in the film is okay, but this isn’t the kind of role that allows him to really cut loose. And you can’t say that about his work in "Dead Man Walking," "Mystic River," "Casualties of War," or "Carlito’s Way." A younger Harrison Ford or Tom Cruise could have played his part just as well. Kidman gets to show off her acting chops a little more.

The film also suffers if you compare it to the recent "Hotel Rwanda," which touched upon some similar historical events. In comparison, "The Interpreter" is somewhat detached and passionless.

It’s also a bit of a cop-out that the country is made-up. Since the country’s fictional, the film can completely avoid all issues relating to imperialism and colonization or interference from first world countries.

"The Interpreter" is worth seeing for its story and all star cast, but it is not all that special or daring. It’s just a competent, run of the mill, by the numbers thriller.