Sydney Pollack

Just last week, I looked up who directed "The Interpreter". Sydney Pollack, now gone.

I looked this up because over several viewings I have found much to admire in the acting that Pollack captured on film. Nicole Kidman has no peer at showing shellshock, but she is especially good in "The Interpreter". The play of emotion across her eyes is terrific. Sean Penn doesn't match his incredible performance in "Dead Man Walking", but he is good and real and his acting goes all the way through to his body language.

The stars, though, bring a lot of talent and craft to their performances. What I find more impressive is the depth into this cast of effective moments. The entire sequence after the bus explosion is filled with great, real moments. The Secret Service agents and news reporters all make their moments ring true.

Those moments could have been filler, but they weren't. I give Pollack credit for that.