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. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
Caine, who also starred in one other Greene adaptation, 1983's The Honorary Consul, is the essence of almost all the author's misfits -- a practiced cynic masking an aching romantic.
A subtle and penetrating work, made to look effortless; nothing is forced or pushed, so much so that it's easy to overlook the extraordinary challenges posed by Graham Greene's novel.
Além de trazer Caine em uma de suas melhores atuações, esta belíssima adaptação do livro de Greene combina com perfeição a tensão dramática de um triângulo amoroso e a complexidade política do maior teatro de guerra das décadas de 50 a 70.
What is best about great movies: the multiplicity of social and political forces that symbolically layer and exquisitely complicate unforgettable characters.
Oscar nominations it richly deserves, not least for Michael Caine, whose performance as an English reporter goaded out of his comfortable, opium-clouded, ex-pat lifestyle ranks among the very best of his career.
Director Phillip Noyce landed a beautiful one-two punch with this and Rabbit-Proof Fence, two political films with politics in the background and delicate human storytelling in the foreground.
As a piece of acting, The Quiet American represents a fitting capper to Caine's illustrious career; his portrait of a jaded sybarite whom history nudges into conscientious action is among the year's most moving.
By cutting Greene's novel down to its most basic action, the screenplay makes the situations look bare and silly--including the Vietnam War itself, which seems to have been merely the opium dream of an old, horny Brit.
Provides enough action to keep the restive in their seats, but the real excitement here is Greene's finely-drawn characters and the two performances that keep them alive.
The Quiet American takes the viewer inside opium dens and dance halls. It peeks behind the curtains of political intrigues and exposes their violent consequences.
Graham Greene novels tend to make the transition to cinema quite well, and this political drama set in the years preceding America's involvement in Vietnam is no exception. It's an interesting period piece as the subject matter is rarely seen on the screen and Michael Caine lends his usual presence and skill to the
part of a British foreign correspondent who loses his objective detachment after becoming involved with the affairs of an American aid worker. It's a well made and well intentioned film but I found it a little schizophrenic, unable to decide whether it's core was romantic drama or political intrigue. I was far more interested in the political side of things but neither aspect seemed fully developed and only Caine's performance really engaged as Brendan Fraser seemed out of his element. A decent attempt though but it in no way equals the visceral impact or emotion of the likes of The Killing Fields or Salvador.
May 16, 2007
xGary Xx
Super Reviewer
Michael Caine gives a very fine and remarkable performance. Brendon Fraser gives an exceptable and great performance. A unique and masterful thriller.
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