if one is to remain human."
The faces of politics/war easily suffocate us as individuals. However, as we so often try and "run" from conflict...in the end human nature takes over and forces us to react.
Phillip Noyce (director) and Christopher Hampton (screen writer) carefully craft Graham Greene's novel, "The Quiet American", into a tremendously rich film of love, war, politics, power and seduction. Noyce subtly uses the beautiful landscape of Vietnam to set an enigmatic tone from the outset of the film. Michael Caine, one of the greatest actors of his generation, is absolutely flawless in the lead role and Brendan Fraser is brilliant as Alden Pyle..a.k.a "The Quiet American." Fraser proves once again, that given a powerful script and a strong actor to support him ("Gods and Monsters") his talent as an actor blossoms. Fraser all too often makes poor film choices ("Monkeybone", "Dudley Do-Right" and "George of the Jungle"), but then again Caine too had his faults (Jaws: The Revenge"). We must not concentrate so much on a person's mistakes, but must admire them for their achievements.
Caine and Fraser work brilliantly together in this film set against the backdrop of the French occupation of Vietnam, and the beginning of the U.S. interest in the area because of the threat of Communism.
Michael Caine undoubtedly deserved his nomination-nod for Best Actor as he tenderly portrays a man so desperately in love, but not necessarily deep in lust. His love for a woman, a friend, a wife, a land, and a cause are all at the focal point of the film, and all are tested on several occasions.
"The Quiet American" is one of the best films of the year!
For more top-notch work from Phillip Noyce in 2002 I recommend "Rabbit-Proof Fence". An epic-tale of determination, and what the heart, of even little children, can accomplish.
The faces of politics/war easily suffocate us as individuals. However, as we so often try and "run" from conflict...in the end human nature takes over and forces us to react.
Phillip Noyce (director) and Christopher Hampton (screen writer) carefully craft Graham Greene's novel, "The Quiet American", into a tremendously rich film of love, war, politics, power and seduction. Noyce subtly uses the beautiful landscape of Vietnam to set an enigmatic tone from the outset of the film. Michael Caine, one of the greatest actors of his generation, is absolutely flawless in the lead role and Brendan Fraser is brilliant as Alden Pyle..a.k.a "The Quiet American." Fraser proves once again, that given a powerful script and a strong actor to support him ("Gods and Monsters") his talent as an actor blossoms. Fraser all too often makes poor film choices ("Monkeybone", "Dudley Do-Right" and "George of the Jungle"), but then again Caine too had his faults (Jaws: The Revenge"). We must not concentrate so much on a person's mistakes, but must admire them for their achievements.
Caine and Fraser work brilliantly together in this film set against the backdrop of the French occupation of Vietnam, and the beginning of the U.S. interest in the area because of the threat of Communism.
Michael Caine undoubtedly deserved his nomination-nod for Best Actor as he tenderly portrays a man so desperately in love, but not necessarily deep in lust. His love for a woman, a friend, a wife, a land, and a cause are all at the focal point of the film, and all are tested on several occasions.
"The Quiet American" is one of the best films of the year!
For more top-notch work from Phillip Noyce in 2002 I recommend "Rabbit-Proof Fence". An epic-tale of determination, and what the heart, of even little children, can accomplish.
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