The Quiet American (2002)

An older British reporter vies with a young U.S. doctor for the affections of a beautiful Vietnamese woman.

Director:

Phillip Noyce

Writers:

Graham Greene (novel), Christopher Hampton (screenplay)

Stars:

Michael Caine, Brendan Fraser, Thi Hai Yen Do

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 13 wins & 13 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Michael Caine	...	Thomas Fowler
Brendan Fraser	...	Alden Pyle
Thi Hai Yen Do	...	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 important, 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, whom he loves and would marry if he were 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. In this way, he decides to write a major story to prove to his superiors that he should stay in Saigon. In 1952, Fowler is called into ...

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Plot Keywords:

year 1952 | first indochina war | french indochina | asia | french colonial empire | 

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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:

Miramax Studio Canal

Country:

UK Germany USA Vietnam Australia France Canada

Language:

English French Vietnamese

Release Date:

7 March 2003 (USA)

Also Known As:

Der stille Amerikaner

Filming Locations:

Saigon, Vietnam

Box Office

Budget:

$30,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$101,663, 24 November 2002, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$12,987,647, 3 August 2003

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$27,674,124, 31 December 2003

Company Credits

Production Co:

Miramax, 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

At a Q&A in Dublin, Ireland in 2003, director Phillip Noyce said that Paramount Pictures originally planned to finance the film, and at one point, Sir Sean Connery and Johnny Depp were to play the lead roles of Thomas Fowler and Alden Pyle respectively. However, Noyce said that Paramount eventually passed on making the movie.

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Goofs

(at around 28 mins) While Thomas Fowler is typing, we can see his articles printed in The Times; first article on Friday 7 May 1954 starts "After fifty-six days under siege a cease-fire..." Second article on Wednesday 21 July 1954 starts just the same, "After fifty-six days under siege a cease-fire..."

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Quotes

[first lines]
Thomas Fowler: [narrating] 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.
Thomas Fowler: 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. Your ...

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Connections

Spoofed in Holliston: Blobby (2013)

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Soundtracks

J'ai Deux Amours
Music by Vincent Scotto
Lyrics by Georges Koger and Henri Varna
Performed by Natasha Hunter

User Reviews

Thi Hai Yen Do

Her presence. her impecable performance. like beautiful cinematography. and the performances of Michael Caine and Brendan Fraser. as key of a drama who seduce, imprese, surprise, provoke. not only as inspired adaptation. but as an useful reflection about present. not a critic. not a revelation. only a sort of precise conclusion. about people, choices, trust and the way to define the reality. it is one films about Vietnam who gives to you the feeling to discover the essence of that land in centre of war. you feel the land and the air and the rain and the pain of people. grace of cinematography, off course. but not only. because it is a film who shows new manner to see the life. as reflection of yourself and as the fruit of fundamental options. so, more than a good film. maybe, one of real useful.