Clive Owen+Stubble=Everyman

Clive Owen may be good-looking, but his success in recent years depends squarely on his ability to inhabit scruffy Everyman characters that connect with audiences, New York reports. His new film, The International, heightens the illusion, as Owen’s everyday character is thrust into the middle of a shadowy financial runaround. The film has more gunplay than you and I usually experience, but the situation is unsettling in its relevance.

“He’s got this movie-star quality, but he’s not too cool or too sexy or too good-looking—I mean, what am I saying?” says International co-star Naomi Watts, trying to pinpoint Owen’s charm. “Of course he’s incredibly good-looking! But you can see the flaws, as well,” she continues. “He’s just there, seamless, oozing truth.” Director Tom Twyker gets more quickly to the point. “He can look that good and still be me and you.” (More Clive Owen stories.)