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Brett Beach: Between Solaris and this, I think Clooney is the only person to appear in multiple D-rated movies in the past decade. More power to him for continuing to choose projects that don't require him to be likable or simply radiate his ample star wattage. And even though it's small bragging rights, this is his first number one anchored by him and him alone. Focus did what they needed to do to sell this film (showing all the action or implied action in the trailer and ads, from what I understand) and they should be happy with the result. I initially had no interest but the divided reviews have piqued my curiosity. This has my vote for oddest and most unexpected film to debut at the top since that Ashley Judd-Ewan McGregor "WTF is this?" Eye of the Beholder back in January 2000.

Matthew Huntley: First, @ Brett (et al), I saw The American and I think it's one of the better pictures of the year and you'd be wise to see it. I understand the D- score, but I don't agree with it.

Regarding its box office, I agree with the rest of the BOP staff that Focus' expectations for this movie were likely not very high (evidenced by its less-than-reputable release date), so while the studio may not be overly satisfied, but I would say they're content. It was not an expensive movie to make and its international numbers could double its overall box-office take, so it's safe to call it a mid-level hit.

David Mumpower: I echo Matthew and Brett's statements that George Cooney should be commended for making the movies he believes in rather than the ones that are transparently commercial. As someone who loves Solaris and Confessions of a Dangerous Mind (one of my favorites of this decade), I admire his choices and generally find his eclectic works to be stuff that will stand the test of time (see: Good Night, and Good Luck). The American is a strange production that confused me the instant it was slotted for Labor Day weekend release. All of us know that this period is one of those rare anti-holiday box office phenomenons. For this reason, I kept waiting for The American to either pushed up into August or dropped back into awards season condition. Once I realized that wasn't happening, I started to realize just how much Focus worried this was a bomb. Given that it's now earned back its budget and that marketing costs were intentionally kept low in anticipation of disaster, this becomes a tolerable result bordering on best case scenario.

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