I don't know what it is about Graham Green, but he really did get it right, repeatedly. This, no exception, and the producers, actors and all bring his work to life.I recently watched this movie again, after fifteen years, and indeed after 45 years or so from living in Viet Nam, in both Saigon and Vung Tau as a boy. I'm not so old as to know the Saigon of 1954. I did not arrive until just after the Tet offensive in 1968.The set scenes, most, presumably shot in Hanoi, are very surprisingly accurate. I only recognised the centre square in Saigon. The only difference from when I was there was the number of cheap Honda motor bikes on the streets. Which of course would not have been there in 1952-4.My father worked in foreign aid, was debriefed every two weeks or so, and kept tabs on all his employees just in case one of their relatives went VC and they, that would be the employees, could be used as blackmail. The CIA were very, very prevalent around my fathers circles and yes, the underlying premise of American intervention and destabalisation is absolutely spot on; me, having been mentored as a young lad by a small few Americans.The occasional quip in the film about the sound of an explosion is also eerily accurate. You really did get to know the sound of various devices going off. As kids we counted the helicopters (Hueys) going out and coming back in. Train spotting with a twist. We could tell, at least we told ourselves, whether gun fire was Armalite, M1's, M16's etc, AK's? We kept diaries and even pretended we knew whether it was a Chinese AK knockoff or the real deal.We even used to, being kids, boast about our scars. Most of us snuck out after curfew. The concrete abrasions didn't really count, they were just near misses. The spaulding burns meant that you were in an aircraft, serious cudos. But I digress and I've drifted off point. So. This really is a remarkable movie. Written in its original by Graham Green and expressed in such a way as to have stood the test of time by this wonderful rendition. A must watch, and indeed a must read.

Director Philip Noyce brings Graham Greene's novel to the screen with exquisite style and demanding substance. The depth and power of Greene's work is preserved and dramatized with amazing skill. With that being said, there is one element of this film that is absolutely amazing and that is Michael Caine's portrait of Fowler. Giving another extraordinary performance of unforgettable power, Caine not only brings Fowler to life but inhabits Graham Greene himself. The supporting cast is certainly able but it is that single performance by Caine that will leave you breathless and completely in wonder of this great actor's gifts. His portrayal leaves you overwhelmed by the character's complexity and inner turmoil. What you witness in all Caine accomplishes here will haunt forever anyone who appreciates the finest of acting.

This film requires more than one view to pick up subtleties in the stories. The parallel story of a British reporter, Thomas Fowler, brilliantly portrayed by Michael Caine, his mistress Phuong (Do Thi Ha Yen), and her predicament, as well the overall quagmire that was Indo-China, American interference, and later Vietnam.It is filmed with illusory, tropical backdrops to a scene of hundreds of recently murdered citizens, noted "probably killed by just another faction" by a fellow war correspondent of Fowler's.The sets are realistic without being overwrought (i.e. Platoon). The story has a soft side to Caine's character and his love for Phuong, and the desires of an older man to find final happiness, in a sense. He remarks to Brendan Fraser (Alden Pyle, a US intelligence agent, posing as a physician treating Trychoma), that if he were to lose Phuong it would be the end of his life. The problem is his British wife is Catholic and refuses divorce. This would not be a very valid reason these days. Caine is excellent, giving a voice over finessed view of war torn Vietnam, the tragedies of staged bombings, and his impressions of what "the story behind the story" here is. The visuals are trans formative, and we see a new dictator, General The (secretly being funded by US ), who interviews with Fowler about his visions for a "new Vietnam" Neither the French Colonialists nor the Communists can "fix " it. So what then?.It is nice that this is left as an open ended question leaving the audience to have to THINK. Graham Greene is an excellent author and one must read the book which this film encapsulates. Highly recommended. 10/10.

An adaptation of Graham Greene's bestselling novel of the same name, 'The Quiet American' is a Great film, that is superbly directed, superiorly written & features Sir Michael Caine's finest performance performance in years.'The Quiet American' Synopsis: An older British reporter vies with a young U.S. doctor for the affections of a beautiful Vietnamese woman.'The Quiet American' blends war-violence with a romantic-triangle, with utter brilliance. The narrative is power-packed & the pacing is perfect. Christopher Hampton & Robert Schenkkan's Adapted Screenplay is extremely well-done. Phillip Noyce's Direction is superb. He has handled the film with command. Cinematography & Editing are splendid. Performance-Wise: Sir Michael Caine dominates the show with an excellent performance. Caine gets into the skin of the character & delivers in high regard. Also memorable is Brendan Fraser, who is simply electrifying in a villainous role. Do Thi Hai Yen is decent. On the whole, 'The Quiet American' is a must watch.