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Movies / On DVD / The Quiet American
The Quiet American

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The Quiet American (2002)

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Reviews Counted: 140

Fresh: 124

Rotten:16

Average Rating: 7.8/10

Consensus: Thoughtful and wonderfully acted, The Quiet American manages to capture the spirit of Green's novel.

Rated: R [See Full Rating] for images of violence and some language

Runtime: 1 hr 41 mins

Genre: Dramas

Theatrical Release:Nov 22, 2002 Limited

Box Office: $12,843,884

Synopsis: Set in Saigon, Vietnam, in 1952 during the French Indochina war, THE QUIET AMERICAN is based on the mystery story by Graham Greene, and directed by Phillip Noyce. A middle-aged British reporter for... Set in Saigon, Vietnam, in 1952 during the French Indochina war, THE QUIET AMERICAN is based on the mystery story by Graham Greene, and directed by Phillip Noyce. A middle-aged British reporter for the London Times, Thomas Fowler (Michael Caine), has been working in Vietnam, covering politics and enjoying the local culture. He lives with a beautiful young woman, Phuong (Do Thi Hai Yen), a taxi dancer who he rescued from that undesirable profession. He cannot marry her, because he is already married to a Catholic woman in London who does not believe in divorce. But he truly loves her. When a young American doctor, Alden Pyle (Brendan Fraser), falls in love with Phuong, threatening to take her from Fowler, everything changes. Not only is Fowler's romantic life put in danger, but he begins to uncover disturbing information about the U.S.'s involvement in the war. An intriguing and atmospheric love story as well as a riveting mystery, THE QUIET AMERICAN features top-notch performances from Caine and Fraser, who maintain an eager intensity throughout the film. Combining the mysterious beauty of Saigon with the strangeness of the war, the film is suspenseful and effective. [More]

Starring: Michael Caine, Brendan Fraser, Do Thi Hai Yen

Starring: Michael Caine, Brendan Fraser, Do Thi Hai Yen

Director: Phillip Noyce

Director: Phillip Noyce
Screenwriter: Christopher Hampton, Robert Schenkkan
Producer: William Horberg, Staffan Ahrenberg
Studio: Miramax Films

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Release:

Jul 29, 2003

[DVD Details]
 
 
  • The Quiet American
  • The acclaimed performances of two-time Academy Award(R)-winner Michael Caine (Best Supporting Actor, THE CIDER HOUSE RULES, 1999; HANNAH AND HER SISTERS, 1986) and Brendan Fraser (THE MUMMY, GODS AND MONSTERS) power a stylish political thriller where love and war collide in Southeast Asia. Set in early 1950s Vietnam, a young American (Fraser) becomes entangled in a dangerous love triangle when he falls for the beautiful mistress of a British journalist (Caine). As war is waged around them, these three only sink deeper into a world of drugs, passion, and betrayal where nothing is as it seems. Based on the classic novel by Graham Greene -- you'll find yourself riveted by the fascinating intricacies and ever-developing intrigue of this outstanding motion picture.
  • Source: Buena Vista Home Entertainment
  •  
     
     
     

    Reviews for The Quiet American

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    1 - 20 (sorted by date)
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    N/R

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    Full Review Source: Urban Cinefile | comment Comment
    10/18/08
    Urban Cinefile Critics
    Urban Cinefile

    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.

    comment Comment
    07/31/08
    Pablo Villaca
    Cinema em Cena

    The film may be a not especially unusual mystery/thriller, but it's still a solid and entertaining one at that.

    Full Review Source: Mr. Brown's Movies | comment Comment
    09/17/07
    Michael Dequina
    Mr. Brown's Movies

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Big Picture Big Sound | comment Comment
    07/14/07
    Joe Lozito
    Big Picture Big Sound

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Empire Magazine | comment Comment
    12/30/06
    Empire Magazine
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic
    N/R

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
    06/24/06
    Derek Adams
    Time Out
    N/R

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Combustible Celluloid | comment Comment
    05/26/06
    Jeffrey M. Anderson
    Combustible Celluloid

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Film Threat | comment Comment
    12/06/05
    Film Threat
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic
    N/R

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Nation | comment Comment
    03/03/05
    Stuart Klawans
    Nation

    La confrontation, mais aussi l’amitié entre ces deux comédiens au sommet de leur forme, font de The Quiet American un film solide.

    Full Review Source: Panorama | comment Comment
    02/25/05
    Louis-Jérôme Cloutier
    Panorama

    Noyce has coaxed out what may well be a career-best performance by Michael Caine.

    Full Review Source: Looking Closer | comment Comment
    01/15/05
    Jeffrey Overstreet
    Looking Closer

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: tonymedley.com | comment Comment
    10/07/04
    Tony Medley
    tonymedley.com

    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.

    Full Review Source: F5 (Wichita, KS) | comment Comment
    07/06/04
    Jake Euker
    F5 (Wichita, KS)

    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.

    Full Review Source: Courier-Journal (Louisville, KY) | comment Comment
    06/23/04
    Judith Egerton
    Courier-Journal (Louisville, KY)

    This is perhaps the finest performance of [Michael Caine's] versatile, distinguished career.

    Full Review Source: Atlantic City Weekly | comment Comment
    02/04/04
    Lori Hoffman
    Atlantic City Weekly

    The Quiet American is a powerful and provocative drama that demands to be seen.

    Full Review Source: Worcester Telegram & Gazette | comment Comment
    01/01/04
    Daniel M. Kimmel
    Worcester Telegram & Gazette
    N/R

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: rec.arts.movies.reviews | comment Comment
    08/13/03
    Louis Proyect
    rec.arts.movies.reviews
    N/R

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution | comment Comment
    08/02/03
    Atlanta Journal-Constitution
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    This film is quiet in an eerie, slow burn, dripping with noir sort of way; disarmingly reserved, it manages to burrow under your skin and leave a lingering impression.

    Full Review Source: IGN Movies | comment Comment
    04/30/03
    Spence D.
    IGN Movies

    A compelling look at a situation from history that parallels contemporary times.

    Full Review Source: Quad City Times (Davenport, IA) | comment Comment
    04/21/03
    Linda Cook
    Quad City Times (Davenport, IA)
     
     
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    Latest News for The Quiet American

    April 29, 2008: Philip Noyce Learning The Art of Making Money Opens in new window
    Philip Noyce is in talks to direct DreamWorks' The Art of Making Money, a film about notorious counterfeiter Art Williams. More...

    See More Topics...

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