The Quiet American (2002)

Her presence. her impecable performance. like beautiful cinematography. and the performances of Michael Caine and Brendan Fraser. as key of a drama who seduce, imprese, surprise, provoke. not only as inspired adaptation. but as an useful reflection about present. not a critic. not a revelation. only a sort of precise conclusion. about people, choices, trust and the way to define the reality. it is one films about Vietnam who gives to you the feeling to discover the essence of that land in centre of war. you feel the land and the air and the rain and the pain of people. grace of cinematography, off course. but not only. because it is a film who shows new manner to see the life. as reflection of yourself and as the fruit of fundamental options. so, more than a good film. maybe, one of real useful.

Director Philip Noyce brings Graham Greene's novel to the screen with exquisite style and demanding substance. The depth and power of Greene's work is preserved and dramatized with amazing skill. With that being said, there is one element of this film that is absolutely amazing and that is Michael Caine's portrait of Fowler. Giving another extraordinary performance of unforgettable power, Caine not only brings Fowler to life but inhabits Graham Greene himself. The supporting cast is certainly able but it is that single performance by Caine that will leave you breathless and completely in wonder of this great actor's gifts. His portrayal leaves you overwhelmed by the character's complexity and inner turmoil. What you witness in all Caine accomplishes here will haunt forever anyone who appreciates the finest of acting.

So me and the husband watched this last night. The movie description made us think this would be more of a love story, which it kind of is, but it's more political statement than anything. It has gorgeous scenery and good actors. The only thing that really bothered us about this movie is that the music drowns out the dialogue and we kept asking each other "What did he say?". Michael Caine is always great and Brendan Frasier was actually pretty good, also. The scenes of them together made me a little uncomfortable, only because they are in such an awkward situation. My husband figured out the movie about halfway through and I was just enjoying it. Its worth watching for the scenery alone.

The Quiet American is a film adaptation of Graham Greene's bestselling novel of the same title. This version of the novel in contrast to the 1958 version, depicted Greene's original ending and treatment of the principal American character, Pyle. Like the novel, the film illustrates Pyle's moral culpability in fostering intrigue within the South Vietnamese government. Going beyond Greene's original work, the film used a montage ending with superimposed images of American soldiers from the intervening decades of the Vietnam War.It features starred Michael Caine, Brendan Fraser, and Do Thi Hai Yen; and is directed by Phillip Noyce.Thomas Fowler is a British journalist who in 1952 is covering the early stages of the war in Indo-China for the London Times, not a demanding assignment since few in England are especially interested in the conflict. When not filing occasional reports, Fowler spends his time with Phuong, a beautiful woman who shares lovemaking and opium with Fowler and is willing to accept the fact the married journalist will never make her his wife. Fowler becomes friendly with Alden Pyle, a cheerful and articulate if seemingly naïve American who is in Saigon as part of a medical mission. As Fowler and Pyle develop a closer friendship, Pyle is introduced to Phuong, and the American soon becomes infatuated with her. When Fowler's editors suggest he return to London, he responds by digging himself deeper in covering the war, and Pyle attempts to take Phuong away; she soon rejects him. Undaunted, Pyle continues with his work, but Fowler discovers that medical help is not what the American is bringing to Vietnam. Pyle is in fact a CIA operative who is helping to organize and finance a "Third Force" who will battle Ho Chi Min's forces as well as the French and their allies. Fowler also learns that Pyle is behind a series of bombings which are believed to have been carried out by Communist extremists, and faces the ugly fact that his American friend is in fact a terrorist killing in the name of Uncle Sam's political interests.This is a smart and literate effort that despite some weaknesses in overall conception has one undeniable virtue: There's not a single weak scene.Added to that,it has great performances especially Michael Caine, whose portrayal as an English reporter goaded out of his comfortable, opium-clouded, ex-pat lifestyle ranks among the very best of his career.And also,the subtle and penetrating film made to look effortless as nothing is forced or pushed, so much so that it's easy to overlook the extraordinary challenges posed by Graham Greene's novel and it manages to capture its spirit.Overall,it may be a not especially unusual mystery/thriller, but it's still a solid and entertaining one at that.Indeed,it is a masterpiece and a must-see!!!