The Quiet American

2002 Drama

Graham Greene's allegorical novel about America's role in the Vietnam conflict, and how it was perceived by the rest of the world, is brought to the screen for the second time in this adaptation directed by Phillip Noyce. Thomas Fowler (Michael Caine) 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 (Do Thi Hai Yen), 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 (Brendan Fraser), 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. While completed in the fall of 2001, The Quiet American went unreleased until late 2002; after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the film's producers felt the film's critical view of America's role in the Vietnam war might be considered especially offensive. more..

Director: Phillip Noyce

Starring: Michael Caine, Brendan Fraser, Do Thi Hai Yen, Rade Serbedzija, Tzi Ma

Reviews

  • It is a film with a political point of view, but often its characters lose sight of that, in their fascination with each other and with the girl.

    Roger Ebert - The Chicago Sun-Times

    27 April 2013

  • An instant classic and a dramatic beauty, a film that gets us to the core of Greene's chilly, dark and romantic view of the post-war world.

    Michael Wilmington - The Chicago Tribune

    27 April 2013

  • Noyce's movie works because the director -- trusts himself, and his audience, to understand that catastrophe isn't always a matter of loud ideology. Rather, it's the result of age-old human weakness. And sometimes it's quiet.

    Lisa Schwarzbaum - Entertainment Weekly

    27 April 2013

  • Ever since the movie made a brief appearance late last year to qualify for Oscar consideration, Mr. Caine's performance has been hailed as the best of his career, and surely that's true.

    Joe Morgenstern - The Wall Street Journal

    27 April 2013

  • The key to why the new ''American'' is so good and so true, though, is Brendan Fraser as the title character.

    Ty Burr - The Boston Globe

    27 April 2013

Awards

  • Movie of the Year

    AFI Awards (2003)

  • Best Actor in a Leading Role

    Academy Awards (2003)

     
  • Best Achievement in Sound for a Feature Film - Sound Design

    Australian Screen Sound Guild (2003)

  • Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role

    BAFTA Awards (2003)

     
  • Best Actor

    Bangkok International Film Festival (2003)