Dutch photographer-turned-filmmaker Anton Corbijn, known for everything from his evocative Joshua Tree pictures of U2 to 2007's moody Joy Division biopic Control, brings a 1970s-style European twist to the classic action sub genre, the assassin thriller, with The American, in theaters today. George Clooney stars as an aging assassin who has vowed to make his next assignment his last. But as he hides out in the Italian countryside and awaits his orders, he may grow a little too comfortable for his dangerous line of work. Clooney strikes up a friendship with a local priest and romances a passionate woman and finds himself truly intimate with two people for the first time, even as his enemies close in on him. Paulo Bonacelli and Violante Placido co-star. Rated R.

Drew Barrymore and Justin Long star in the romantic comedy Going the Distance this Friday. The film follows the highs and lows of their long-distance courtship as they travel back-and-forth from San Francisco to New York City to see each other. With plenty of advice both welcome and ill-advised from friends and siblings, the couple tries to navigate the perils of long-distance dating while not letting themselves and thousands of miles get in the way. Christina Applegate, Ron Livingston and Jason Sudeikis co-star. Rated R.