The Year of Living Dangerously

1983

The Year of Living Dangerously

Critics Consensus

Both a smart, suspenseful tale of intrigue and a sweeping romance, The Year of Living Dangerously features excellent performances from Mel Gibson and Sigourney Weaver as a pair of journalists covering political unrest in Indonesia.

87%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 31

77%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 8,641
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The Year of Living Dangerously Photos

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Movie Info

Mel Gibson stars in this period political thriller directed by Peter Weir. Set in Indonesia during the 1965 coup against President Sukarno, the film stars Gibson as Guy Hamilton, an Australian wire-service reporter covering the scene. Whenever Hamilton becomes too glib or indifferent for his own good, he is brought back to earth by his "conscience," photographer Billy Kwan (played in male drag by diminutive actress Linda Hunt, who won an Academy Award for her performance). As all of Jakarta sinks into disarray, Hamilton pursues a romance with British attaché Jill Bryant (Sigourney Weaver). Filmed on location in the Philippines and Australia, the film was financed by MGM, in the first such American-Australian financial collaboration. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
  • Rating:
    PG
  • Genre:
    Drama
  • Directed By:
    Peter Weir
  • In Theaters:
     wide
  • On Disc/Streaming:
  • Runtime:
  • Studio:
    MGM

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Cast

Mel Gibson
as Guy Hamilton
Sigourney Weaver
as Jill Bryant
Linda Hunt
as Billy Kwan
Michael Murphy
as Peter Curtis
Bill Kerr
as Col. Henderson
Noel Ferrier
as Wally
Paul Sonkkila
as Condon
Bembol Roco
as Kumar
Domingo Landicho
as Hortono
Norma Uatuhan
as Ibu
Joonee Gamboa
as Naval Officer
Hermono de Guzman
as Immigration Officer
Dominador Robidillo
as Betjak Man
Joel Agona
as Palace Guard
Mark Egerton
as Embassy aide
Mike Emperio
as President Sukarno
Joel Lamangan
as Security Man 1
Coco Marantha
as Pool waiter
Bernardo Nacilla
as Dwarf
Ali Nur
as Ali
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News & Interviews for The Year of Living Dangerously

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Critic Reviews for The Year of Living Dangerously

All Critics (31) | Top Critics (6) | Fresh (27) | Rotten (4)

  • Memorable in Gallipoli and Road Warrior, Mel Gibson establishes his leading-man status.

    Nov 12, 2018 | Full Review…

    Bob Thomas

    Associated Press
    Top Critic

  • This is a wonderfully absorbing film.

    Jun 18, 2018 | Rating: 4/4 | Full Review…

    Roger Ebert

    Chicago Sun-Times
    Top Critic

  • [A] grievously flawed yet compelling tale of political intrigue, certainly a triumph of atmosphere if not of coherent dramatization.

    Aug 4, 2015 | Full Review…

    Gary Arnold

    Washington Post
    Top Critic

  • Weir and his crew expertly recreate the squalor, poverty, noise, heat and emotion of the pressure cooker that was Indonesia in 1965.

    Jul 7, 2010 | Full Review…

    Variety Staff

    Variety
    Top Critic

  • A curiously languid affair, rather than the breathless Costa-Gavras-style thriller which was the least one might have expected from this kind of material.

    Feb 9, 2006 | Full Review…

    Rod McShane

    Time Out
    Top Critic

  • A good, romantic melodrama that suffers more than most good, romantic melodramas in not being much better than it is.

    May 20, 2003

    Vincent Canby

    New York Times
    Top Critic
View All Critic Reviews (31)

Audience Reviews for The Year of Living Dangerously

  • Mar 04, 2010
    Beautifully shot but the storyline is a bit unsatisfying. It is nice to see two powerhouse actors in the same film though.
    Tim S Super Reviewer
  • Aug 13, 2007
    ...................ok....
    Alexander C Super Reviewer
  • Aug 08, 2007
    Intense, finely made film. Gibson is very good in this, made before he become a blowhearted parody of himself. Linda Hunt is great in her oscar winning part and sigourney weaver is fine as always in a less showy role.
    jay n Super Reviewer
  • Jun 03, 2007
    A typically beautifully shot Peter Weir film, this romance set to the backdrop of political upheaval in Indonesia is thoughtful, atmospheric and intelligent. When was the last time you could say that about a film starring Mel Gibson...?
    xGary X Super Reviewer
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