The Quiet American - Stand Up and Be Heard

Reel Critic Grade: A- Running Time: 118 Minutes Rated: R

What do you get when you mix a cynical old British news correspondent who craves the opium pipe, a young hunky American embassy worker who dabbles in covert operations, a stunning young Vietnamese dance-hall girl who wants stability in her life and the backdrop of war-torn Vietnam during the 1950's? The answer: a love triangle and a murder; oh, and a movie called The Quiet American.

The film opens at night in Saigon with our Brit narrating about his love for Vietnam and the dark forces at work within her borders. The images are at first sultry and romantic, with boats gliding in the shadowy waterways and city lights twinkling in the night, but slowly you realize all is not well. The narration is subdued and melancholy and the tiny flashes and muffled rumbles in the distance are the tools of war. It's a beautifully staged set-up for the rest of the film and its complex messages.

Michael Cain plays British news correspondent, Thomas Fowler. His job is to cover the Saigon beat for a London rag, but he's lost interest in his job and his homeland. Vietnam has seduced him like the Sirens-of-Homer and he has no desire to return to the "dirty rain" or his dead marriage to a staunch catholic. He's found a rhythm in Vietnam and it works for him. More importantly, he's found love.

Her name is Phuong (pronounced - Fong), a young and beautiful Vietnamese played by, Do Thi Hai Yen. Fowler has rescued her from a shallow life of dancing for tickets at a local hall and Phuong is more than happy to be his girlfriend. At night they hole-up in Fowler's apartment to smoke opium and love away their worldly concerns. You sense that Phuong is fond of the old guy, but maybe not in love with him. For Fowler it's more acute; "I know I'm not essential to Phuong, but if I were to lose her, for me that would be the beginning of death."

Life is strolling along for Fowler until he meets a young American embassy worker named Alden Pyle, played by Brendan Fraser. Pyle is new to Vietnam and looks to Fowler for guidance. He is polite and naïve and finds himself in a world he only thinks he knows. While his intentions may be honorable, he is one of the dark forces trying to change Vietnam. When Pyle meets Phuong he is instantly smitten. In an oddly-direct approach, Pyle makes his feelings known to both Fowler and Phuong and the game is afoot.

When Fowler begins to suspect Pyle's ulterior motives towards the country of Vietnam, he leaves his neutral comfort-zone to uncover the truth. Fowler knows he's taking a risk; deep down he likes Alden Pyle and Vietnam is a country at war. But, the increases in horrific events around him drive him to act. The result is a course of action which begs into question Fowler's motivation. Did he do it to save his girl or save the country he loves?

Michael Cain's performance as the disillusioned and conflicted correspondent is his best since Cider House Rules, which won him an Oscar. His Thomas Fowler is as believable a character as they come. He is a real man in conflict, clinging to what sense of life he has left. Once again Oscar has taken note; Cain is nominated for Actor-in-a-Leading-Role. Like fine wine, Cain keeps getting better with age.

Brendan Fraser, at first, felt like the wrong guy for the role of Alden Pyle. He seemed out of place in this picture, but when his character began to unfold, the casting choice becomes obvious. His naïve new-kid-on-the-block demeanor was an on-the-nose portrayal of an idealistic young American who thinks the ends justify the ugly means by which he conducts his work.

The Quiet American is based on a novel of the same name written by Graham Greene. It was previously adapted to film in 1958, but this early version didn't remain true to the original story - which infuriated Greene. The current remake holds onto Greene's political themes and character arcs and is a better movie for it. The now deceased Greene would likely be proud. The film, like the book, is filled with symbolism and political commentary, but both the writer and the director take pains not to beat us over the head with them. The Quiet American is a marvelous film worthy of a little more shouting.