The Quiet American (2002)

Directed by: Phillip Noyce | 101 minutes | drama, war, romance, thriller | Actors: Michael Caine, Brendan Fraser, Do Thi Hai Yen, Rade Serbedzija, Tzi Ma, Robert Stanton, Holmes Osborne, Quang Hai, Ferdinand Hoang

Australian director Phillip Noyce had a rewarding task ahead of him when he filmed ‘The Quiet American’ at the dawn of the new millennium. This Graham Greene novel contains all the ingredients for an exciting and layered film. In addition, the only adaptation of the novel (from 1958) was not very successful, so easily surpassed. The one thing Noyce couldn’t take into account was the aftermath of 9/11. The Americans decided out of sheer panic that this film should be shelved for the time being. Anyone watching ‘The Quiet American’ now can only guess the reason for this.

‘The Quiet American’ has nothing to do with American naivety or meddling. The story is about the complicated love triangle between an elderly English journalist, his youthful Vietnamese mistress and a young American. The film taps into all kinds of timeless motifs: jealousy, friendship, loyalty, love, sacrifice and guilt. For those less interested in depth, there is still the exciting plot about foreign interference in a colonial war. The narration itself is so strong that a faithful film adaptation cannot fail. But Noyce and his crew did more than that.

Cameraman Christopher Doyle created a dazzling Vietnam and the music of Craig Armstrong contributes to the sultry atmosphere. The pace is thoughtful, but that’s completely in the spirit of the story. Where in the earlier adaptation the casting turned out to be a major problem, here we are dealing with a top ensemble. Michael Caine puts down a convincing Fowler and Brendan Fraser is perfect for the role of Pyle. Where in the earlier film the Vietnamese Phuong was played by a full-blooded Italian, the stunning Do Thi Hai Yen is much more appropriate here, although she is the weakest link in the whole.

If you add it all up, this film adaptation of ‘The Quiet American’ is almost of the same high standard as the novel. Only advised against Michael Caine haters and those who suspect an anti-American message in everything. This adaptation is an absolute must for any other film buff.