The Quiet American (2002)

An older British reporter vies against a young American for the affections of a Vietnamese beauty.

Director:

Phillip Noyce

Writers:

Graham Greene (novel), Christopher Hampton (screenplay),

Stars:

Michael Caine, Brendan Fraser, Do Thi Hai Yen

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 16 wins & 7 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Michael Caine	...	Thomas Fowler
Brendan Fraser	...	Alden Pyle
Do Thi Hai Yen	...	Phuong
Rade Serbedzija	...	Inspector Vigot (as Rade Sherbedgia)
Tzi Ma	...	Hinh
Robert Stanton	...	Joe Tunney
Holmes Osborne	...	Bill Granger
Quang Hai	...	General Thé
Ferdinand Hoang	...	Mr. Muoi
Pham Thi Mai Hoa	...	Phuong's Sister
Mathias Mlekuz	...	French Captain
Kevin Tran	...	Watch Tower Soldier
Lap Phan	...	Watch Tower Soldier
Tim Bennett	...	American Photographer
Jeff Truman	...	Dancing American

Storyline

British Thomas Fowler enjoys his life in Saigon working as a reporter for the London Times covering the conflict in Vietnam between the colonial French powers and the communists, who seem to be winning the war. In the later stages of his career, he takes his job lightly now, filing stories only on occasion, and no longer doing field work. But most importantly, this posting allows him to escape from what he considers a dreary life in London - including an unsatisfying marriage to a Catholic woman, who will never grant him a divorce - which in turn allows him to have an affair with a young Vietnamese ex-taxi dancer named Phuong, who he loves and would marry if he was able. Phuong's sister doesn't much like Fowler if only because Fowler cannot provide a stable future for her. His idyllic life is threatened when head office suggests he go back to London. As such, he decides to write a major story to prove to his superiors that he should stay in Saigon. In 1952, Fowler is called into the ...

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Plot Keywords:

vietnamese | love | american | vietnam | saigon | 

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Taglines:

In war, the most powerful weapon is seduction.

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Genres:

Drama | Mystery | Romance | Thriller | War

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for images of violence and some language

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

Germany USA UK Australia France

Language:

English French Vietnamese

Release Date:

7 February 2003 (USA)

Also Known As:

Der stille Amerikaner

Filming Locations:

Da Nang, Vietnam

Box Office

Budget:

$30,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$52,248 (Brazil) (28 February 2003)

Gross:

$12,987,647 (USA) (1 August 2003)

Company Credits

Production Co:

IMF Internationale Medien und Film GmbH & Co. 2. Produktions KG, Intermedia Films, Mirage Enterprises

Technical Specs

Runtime:

101 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film ends with newspaper stories written by Thomas Fowler about Vietnam from 1954 to 1966. However the book on which the film was based was published in 1955, so these are mostly events which happened after the book came out.

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Goofs

When Fowler and his assistant are riding in the car through a crowd, a crewmember pushing the camera is visible just below Fowler's arm.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Thomas Fowler: [voiceover] I can't say what made me fall in love with Vietnam - that a woman's voice can drug you; that everything is so intense. The colors, the taste, even the rain. Nothing like the filthy rain in London. They say whatever you're looking for, you will find here. They say you come to Vietnam and you understand a lot in a few minutes, but the rest has got to be lived. The smell: that's the first thing that hits you, promising everything in exchange for your soul. And the heat. ...

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Connections

Referenced in The 75th Annual Academy Awards (2003)

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Soundtracks

"11 Hours"
Written by Joe E Rand
Superscore Music (ASCAP)
Performed by Joe E Rand

User Reviews

A Powerful Triangle of Love in the Beginning of the American Intervention in Vietnam

In Saigon, 1951, Thomas Fowler (Michael Fowler) is an English journalist, married in England with a catholic woman, and in love with a Vietnamese girl, Phuong (Do Thi Hai Yen). Thomas meets Alden Pyle (Brendan Fraser) in a bar. Pyle is a doctor working in an aid mission, and pretty soon, he falls in love with Phuong. Pyle offers her what Thomas is not possible to give, i.e., a marriage and escape of Vietnam. Meanwhile, the political situation in Vietnam is boiling, with the French trying to get control again of the country, the communists trying to impose their system to the South, and the American secretly giving support to a third Vietnamese part.

This romance is perfect: the outstanding performance of Michael Caine in the first plane, and Brendan Fraser (in his best role, since 'Gods and Monsters') and Do Thi Hai Yen are fantastic. The screenplay of Christopher Hampton, based in a novel of Graham Greene, is wonderful. And the direction of Phillip Noyce is magnificent, presenting the story in right doses of romance, drama, action and special effects. An overwhelming movie for all tastes. My vote is nine.

Title (Brazil): "O Americano Quieto" ("The Quiet American")