The Quiet American on DVD (2002)

Quiet American

Maggers from London , 14/10/2003

I came to this film as a fan of both Graham Greene and Michael Caine. The screenplay is a very faithful adaptation of the novel, and the characterisation and settings are excellent. The Vietnamese scenery is stunning throughout, the mud-blasted hell of Phat Diem contrasting vividly with the polite finesse of French-Colonial Saigon. Caine dominates the picture with a mighty but human performance as Fowler, the journalist desperately trying to cling on to his relationship with young Vietnamese beauty Phuong (played by the lovely Do Thi Hai Yen). Into their world comes the quiet American, Aiden Pyle, played in a suitably underhand manner by a chubby Brendan Fraser.

The film is well-paced and the "action" sequences are very well done, particularly the infamous bombing in the square which is recreated with frightening realism. I found it all totally gripping, even though I knew the plot and the outcome. The scenes between Caine and Fraser show these two at their very best, Caine surely at yet another high in his career.

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Well worth the wait

A customer from London, England , 04/06/2004

I had been waiting to watch this performance ever since Caine garnered a Best Actor nom for it at the

2003 Oscars.

The 1958 Joseph Mankiewicz adaptation of Graham Greene's classic 1955

novel, was said to have been despised by Philip Noyce. Most likely

because the 'badguy' was changed to the Brit rather than the American

(how unusual!). Still, Noyce's adaptation is far closer to the look &

feel of the novel.

Caine plays Thomas Fowler, a British journalist & the movie centres around his friendship with

a young American embassy attache, Alden Pyle (Brendan Fraser) & his growing suspicion that

Pyle might be a US intelligence operative. Not only is he right, Pyle,

being part of a move by the US to cause anti-communist feeling by

sponsoring 'third party' terrorism & then pinning it on the communists,

adds insult to injury when he then steals Fowler's Vietnamese girlfriend, Phuong (Do Thi Hai Yen).

I loved this movie, very well acted by not only Caine but also Fraser (as he has done in

Gods & Monsters) & the supporting cast. It's gentility, nuances & very cynical, knowing

dialogue (mainly from Caine) are a rarity in the 'bang bang' cinema that we are

usually subjected to. If only there were a few more intelligent, well-crafted movies

like it.

The dvd extras were non-existent, but in this case I'll forgive that.

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Quiet in title and quiet in content!

milko from E Sussex , 04/11/2003

Not the most stimulating of films. The story line / plot is not strong and the film is slow moving. I found concentration lapsing during the movie. I am left finding it hard to remember the plot and the content of the movie.

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Caine in greene-land

greyboots from West Sussex , 28/08/2004

Michael Caine excels once again in Greene-land. His previous journey into the pages of the late British novelist was 1984's under-rated The Honorary Consul where Caine gave a career resurrecting performance as soused Consul Charlie Fortnum opposite Richard Gere's rather bland Eduardo Plarr.

This time the stops have been pulled out all round and Caine's supporting cast all work quietly to make this tale of intrigue in Vietnam a deeply engaging and involving one.

Brendan Fraser (late of the big blockbusters The Mummy & The Mummy Returns) shows just what he can do without any CGI, and turns in a considered performance in the titular role.

All told, this film is a gem; and for a change the story rather than effects of explosions is given prominence.

Anyone who thinks Caine is just a one-dimensional actor who always plays the same part should take stock of this...then watch the equally watchable The Statement before reassessing.

If only there were more films of this calibre made.

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Stevo#4 from EDINBURGH , 22/06/2004

Film about a love triangle set in 50?s Vietnam. Michael Caine is excellent in this likewise the supporting cast. The film is very evocative of the era and beautifully made ? some of the violence is very graphic. Thoroughly recommended.

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Del#3 from RUNCORN , 28/01/2004

Wasn't sure what to expect but this turned out to be a very good film. It's set in Vietnam and captures the feeling of the era very well. Good story, well written and acted. Really only requested it because of Michael Caine but the other actors are equally good.

I would definitely recommend it.

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