The Quiet American
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Movie Reviews of The Quiet American
Movie Review: Engaging Drama about Love and Friendship in War-time Vietnam
Summary: 4 Stars
I an no Graham Greene fan, but I know this 'The Quiet American' (second version after the 1958 version) is made with heartily-felt respect to this author. It is an intelligent view on the war-time Vietnam before US government started to get involved into the area, but it is also a romantic story about the three characters, played by Michael Caine, Brendan Fraser, and Do Thai Hai Yen. Both way you can enjoy it.
The time is 1952, the place Saigon, and the French army is losing the war. To the jaded eye of British journalist Thomas Fawler (Caine), however, his affair with the Vietnamese girl Phuong (DO Thai Hai Yen) occupies his mind most. But he might be summoned back to the UK where his wife is waiting, and to prevent that, he needs another report to send to London.
And an quiet, suave, nice-looking man appears before him. Alden (Fraser) is a nice guy, to be sure, but he seems to be attracted to Phuong too much, Fawler begins to think. And one unaccountable thing is, this American keeps on showing up before the journalist at the most unexpected place. Who is he, and what does he want?
As you know, Greene is known for his Catholic background, but basically his novels belong to the category of mystery -- see his 'The Third Man' -- and 'The Quiet American' is no exception. But the most attractive side of the film is not that part; it is the entangled love relations between the three, and all the three actors show superb acting, especially Michael Caine (who is nominated for Oscar here). He is exactly the face of the film, and deserves every praise given to it.
Christopher Doyle gives good photography (but he downplays his techinique, which tends to give emphasis to overflowing light), and Director Philip Noyce, as he did in 'Rabbit-Proof Fence,' maintains the well-regulated pace throughout the film. No overblown actions nor sugar-coated love scenes are included.
The only thing I regret is that, after all, we know the outcome of the war (the novel was written in 1955) and some part tells it. I cannot reveal too much, but the characterization (or the secret) of 'The Queit American' is no longer surprising. I don't say it's a cliche, but other Hollywood films seem to have used it up years ago. This film is not to be faulted, I know, but it cannot be ignored either.
Still, it is a great drama which is made with intelligence, and Michael Caine represents that intelligence quite well. And the romantic mood of the film, too.
Movie Review: A willing fool
Summary: 3 Stars
Michael Caine is the film's principal asset. As Fowler, an uncelebrated journalist barely hanging on in the waning days of French rule in 1950s Vietnam (nee Indochina), he adds another memorable portrait to his gallery of characters.
Fowler is a man who is pretty much washed up and knows it, a sensitive hack and self-protective cynic whose heart has a single lifeline: his love for Phuong, the young Asian woman whom he cannot marry because his wife back in England won't divorce him.
Caine shows us the man's misery, his tarnished nobility, and his struggle to be invulnerable when Phuong appears to be won over by Pyle, a young, idealistic American (he of the title), who seems to have so much of what Fowler lacks -- including the ability to give Phuong a secure future. Fowler's existential struggle between despair and absurd hope is depicted by Caine precisely and movingly.
Otherwise, the film isn't up to much. I haven't read the Graham Greene novel on which it was based, but the script, although it gives Caine enough to work with, loses focus when it wanders away from his character. Director Philip Noyce tries, and sometimes succeeds, in supplying visual poetry, but too much of the film consists of standard oriental-decadence images (opium dens, flashy nightclubs, a tired-eyed and stubble-chinned French police inspector in a white suit), off-the-shelf action scenes and hackneyed political intrigue.
It's also a come-beat-the-stuffing-out-of-wicked-America festival. The CIA office is inhabited by robot-like schemers in identical white shirts; Pyle, the "quiet American" (so unlike those other Yankee buffoons), is not what he seems, either. I could be wrong, but I think that Greene (unlike John le Carre) never declined into this kind of sophomoric caricature.
Caine's portrayal of a willing fool for love is in a more rarified class than the rest of the movie.
Movie Review: The Only Faithful Adaptation
Summary: 4 Stars
The Quiet American
I was pretty skeptical when I heard about the new film adaption of The Quiet American. Really, when you look at the overall story, it seems to defy any attempt to prune it down to about 2 hours. Graham Greene's literary masterpiece of espionage and politics in the steaming rebellion of early 1950's French Indonesia is so nuanced, so deep, that no movie could ever really capture the soul of the book. This remains true, but this excellent movie comes as close as I think you possible could. The film understands the intricacy of the book, of its many points of view and the complicated motivations of the characters. It doesn't try to explain it all, and it also doesn't, blessedly, attempt to whitewash the somewhat hard to understand reality of the era and the groundlevel players in portrays.
The Quiet American tells the story of Thomas Fowler, a veteran British reporter played superbly by Michael Caine. Fowler is somewhat adrift in life, losing interest in the continuing quagmire of Vietnam. His attention is held, very securely, by his beautiful Vietnamese mistress, Phuong. Unable to marry her because of his wife back in England, he struggles with his own morals and desires. This relatively low level dilemma becomes much more complicated with the arrival of Pyle, a young American aid worker who takes an interest in Fowler. Pyle is a man with glazed over eyes, firmly believing in America's new role in Vietnam and the crusade against communism. The two are drawn into conflict when Pyle falls in love with Phuong. The love triangle just worsens an already worsening political relationship. Fowler begins to suspect Pyle of other activities, as he becomes connected to various "3rd way" Vietnamese figures, men with private armies and ruthless temperaments. He digs deeper, and his investigation, along with Pyle's own arrogance, reveals the Quiet American as something much darker. These discoveries, the fight over the lovely Phuong, and Pyle's own recklessness lead the movie to a startling and in some ways disturbing conclusion.
The atmosphere is what impressed me with this movie. It is very well done, with a realistic and stylish reproduction of colonial Vietnam. The scenes in which Fowler and Pyle visit the French unit in the field, and take nighttime refuge in the isolated road post, are just brilliantly constructed. The acting is great, with Caine delivering a fairly customary great performance. I was very pleasantly surprised though with the job that Brendon Frasier did as Pyle. I've never really thought he was anything special, but he did a totally convincing job as Pyle the Janus. I very much enjoyed watching his take on Pyle's duality, it was truly fascinating. I would encourage everyone to read the book, as it is a wonderful description of the place and the era. However, if you want to enjoy it in its film interpretation, this is the movie to turn to.
Movie Review: Excellent movie with a great performance by Michael Caine
Summary: 4 Stars
The Quiet American is an excellent movie that deals with a topic not usually brought up in many movies; the American involvement in Vietnam before the war. British reporter, Thomas Fowler, has found a niche for himself in Vietnam reporting on the Vietnamese fight for independence from the French. He is in love with a Vietnamese girl, and everything seems to be going well for him. Then, he meets Alden Pyle, a medical liason officer who falls in love with Fowler's girlfriend, Phuong, while treating the indigenous people for a rare disease. Fowler begins to notice strange things occuring around him, and begins to wonder if Pyle is really what he seems to be. This is an excellent movie with beautiful cinematography, a well-told story, and fully developed characters. By the end of the movie, you find yourself fully captivated by the story as the truth comes to light. Highly recommended.
Michael Caine fully deserved his Oscar nomination as British reporter, Thomas Fowler, who finds himself in a troubling situation in Vietnam. He must deal with issues that he has always been able to push aside in the past as his life changes around him. Brendan Fraser is excellent as Alden Pyle, the medical liasons officer who befriend Fowler and falls in love with his girlfriend, Phuong, played by the beautiful, Do Thi Hai Yen. The three stars of the movie all give fantastic performances throughout as well as the supporting cast including Tzi Ma, Rade Serbedzija, Robert Stanton, Holmes Osborne, and Quang Hai. The DVD offers a beautiful widescreen presentation, commentary from cast and crew, a Vietnam timeline, "Anatomy of a Scene" the Sundance show, an original featurette, and book reviews for Graham Greene's book on which the movie is based. For a great movie with a well-told story, interesting characters, and a beautiful setting, check out The Quiet American!
Movie Review: Caine Shines
Summary: 5 Stars
"The Quiet American" is a languid and eminently watchable film. I recommend it to all viewers interested in Vietnam and the acting of Michael Caine who plays the lead character, Thomas Fowler.
The film is based on the book by Graeme Greene and it set in the Vietnam of 1952 when French colonial rule was collapsing and the influence of America was correspondingly rising. The country is slowing slipping into chaos from which it will not even begin to emerge for a generation. Some countries are seemingly inflicted with a role in world history that they would rather not experience. Vietnam is one such country.
The film is a wonderful production and owes much to the direction of Phillip Noyce who covers his subject matter with great care. The result is a beautiful but tragic film. Thomas Fowler rises above mediocrity to become a truly successful journalist while the rank opportunism of the US government is exposed for all to see. Vietnam slowly slips into a mire of tragedy. The film, however, is a great result. Make an effort to see it!