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Mr. Beaks Makes Some Noise About THE QUIET AMERICAN!!
Hey, everyone. "Moriarty" here with some Rumblings From The Lab.
Beaks and I are headed out later today to interview Philip Noyce and Michael Caine, and I’m very, very pleased to be doing so. THE QUIET AMERICAN is one of this year’s best films, and the chance to sit down with Caine has me positively giddy. I’ll have my review for the movie up later in the weekend, but for now, here’s Beaks with a great look at this great film...
THE QUIET AMERICAN (d. Philip Noyce, w. Christopher Hampton & Robert Schenkkan)
Deceptively small in scope, Graham Greene’s THE QUIET AMERICAN posits a love triangle that, by its tragic end, will foretell the fate of American military involvement in Vietnam, a pretty remarkable feat when you realize the novel was first published in 1954. Initially, the metaphor was viewed stateside as a thinly-veiled piece of anti-Americanism/pro-communism propaganda, which likely led writer/director Joseph L. Mankiewicz to soft-peddle the politics when he filmed it in 1958 (a version loathed by Greene). Post-quagmire, however, the book has gained an enormous amount of power and further acclaim as a prescient disquisition on the United States’ often misguided foreign policy; ergo, in the wake of the Neil Jordan’s brilliant END OF THE AFFAIR, which suggested an untapped reservoir of cinematic possibilities in the Greene oeuvre, it should come as little surprise that THE QUIET AMERICAN would suddenly appear ripe for the remaking.
Produced by the Mirage Entertainment team of Sydney Pollack and Anthony Minghella, it might strike some as surprising to see this prestigious pair hand the directorial reins over to Phillip Noyce, the Australian New Wave veteran badly in need of a palate cleansing after toiling in the studio system for over a decade, applying a fine polish to such book-to-film turds as PATRIOT GAMES, CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER (easily the best of the bunch) and THE BONE COLLECTOR. However, armed with a concise, literate adaptation from Christopher Hampton and Robert Schenkkan, Noyce has crafted a rewarding and intelligent feature that would’ve likely pleased the late author, meaning that, yes, THE QUIET AMERICAN has made it to the screen with its controversial politics intact. As a year-end release with the Miramax marketing muscle behind it, Noyce’s film is likely to fire a bubbling cauldron of controversy, which, hopefully, will not overshadow the magnificent lead performance of Michael Caine as Thomas Fowler, the world-weary foreign correspondent for the London Times who falls under suspicion of murder when his “friend”, American Aid worker Alden Pyle (Brendan Fraser), turns up dead by the bridge to Dakow.
Fear not; this isn’t a spoiler, but the film’s premise: how did such an eager do-gooder like Pyle come to such an unfortunate end? To answer this, Fowler recounts his eventful, yet relatively brief, acquaintance with the bright-eyed government worker that, as with Greene’s novel, unfolds as less a mystery than a meditation on betrayal and the ruinous destination that lies inevitably down the well-trod path of good intentions. For while Pyle may value his hastily struck-up friendship with Fowler, he truly covets the aging reporter’s trophy mistress, a young, hauntingly beautifully Vietnamese girl named Phoung (Do Hai Yen). Though timid in the actual courtship of Phoung, Pyle is brutally forthright in expressing his intentions to Fowler, who he feels is doing the young woman a disservice by leading her on, while he (barely) maintains a marriage back home in London. Though Fowler may consider Pyle something of a joke at first, he becomes justifiably concerned when Phoung’s conniving sister takes a shine to the opportunity rich American, prompting him to request a divorce from his deeply religious wife. As this melodrama plays itself out, a more important question arises as Fowler finds himself encountering Pyle in several political hot spots throughout the region: is Pyle really just an innocent foreign aid worker, or is there something more devious lurking beneath his cheery façade?
Impressive work is turned in across the board here, but, clearly, there’s no one more plaudit-worthy than Sir Michael Caine (I haven’t noticed many critics making use of the title when they refer to him, but his achievement here commands such towering respect). When matched with material up to his standards (an all too rare occurrence), there are few living actors capable of such sensational work, so it’s a thrill to see Caine, in his late-sixties, turning in such a remarkably spry performance as the gallivanting Fowler. Such vigorousness is essential to buying Phoung’s attraction to Fowler, but it also sets up a stunning contrast when Noyce brings his camera up close, where the actor’s weathered visage and tired eyes drive home the heightened mortal stakes of his claim to Phoung. Such complexities deepen the film’s inherently mournful tone, allowing it to attain a transcendent sadness when Fowler writes of Phoung to his wife that, “to lose her would be, for me, the beginning of death.” True, the man may be an irrepressible cad, but in Caine’s hands, the character is granted the dignity that could’ve been denied him through the absence of Graham’s first-person narrative. With a tenth of the words, Caine manages to make Fowler just as human as he was on the page.
Though not quite as thrilling, there is a palpable satisfaction in watching an unfairly maligned director like Noyce execute with a renewed confidence, using his evocative Vietnam locations to maximum effect (it must be noted that he receives a valuable assist from his DP, the great Christopher Doyle). Avoiding all manner of ostentation, Noyce knows well enough to simply tell the story, but he does so with a generous attention to detail that brings the script to life in often surprising ways, particularly in his expert staging of suspense that leads up to the Saigon Square bombing.
THE QUIET AMERICAN may be a slow-building, exceedingly pregnant metaphor, but it’s a fascinating tale that’s terribly relevant as America finds itself being drawn inextricably into war(s) fought under the guise of nation building. This is a film that asks us to consider whose interests are truly being served when the world’s last remaining superpower goes a-proselytizing in order to eradicate the Dangers to Democracy.
Faithfully submitted,
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Good to see Sir Michael choosing a descent role.
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Why just talk back to slag off the reviewer? No chance of being constructive I suppose? Can I suggest the following - If you don't like the reviews: Fuck off elsewhere you tit. I hope this wasn't too pseudo intellectual for you
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"The Quiet American" is possibly the best American film you'll see this year. It is epic at its grandest, has atmosphere to spare (leave that to Christopher Doyle!) and features a superb performance by Michael Caine, whom I often find overrated but who really delivers an Oscar-worthy performance here. And finally, let's not forget the score, which is one of the most haunting things I've come across this year. I don't know who composed it (haven't got round to looking it up on the IMDB...), but whoever it was, he/she has my eternal gratitude. I MUST have that soundtrack. And the film, obviously.
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Sounds like a thinly-vieled liberal/democrat agenda piece. When are you left-wingers going to wake-up and realize that the earth is for raping, the middle east needs to be destroyed, Bush is Jesus Christ, money is best served in the hands of the rich and Republicans are truly vampires who drink blood - oh shit, edit! edit! uh, scratch that last bit. :-)
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it has many elements in it which could make it a fantastic work of film - great actors, interesting plot, the polticky message, but it is lacking the most crucial element of all: a monkey in a space suit. people dont wanna see you michael caine they wanna see the monkey goin "ook ook!" in space! thats what makes great movies great! like casablanca. wait no i meant "every which way but loose, IN SPACE." that was the third one, where clint eastwood's a cyborg and he and his monkey are flyin around in space. that one got robbed for oscars.
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Does anybody here know the difference between a Monkey, a Chimpanzee, and an Orangutan?
This movie sounds good but it will get ravaged by the right wing media... don't expect nine thumbs up on the 700 Club! Bob and Harvey might be in for an ass-spanking by Eisner if this brings Disney some flack. -
when you read a multisyllabic word and go, "Gee, I don't know what that means. I feel really stupid." And that it seems to happen with every word that has more than one syllable. Let me fuck up your day. "Aardvark." Here's hoping a thesaurus is in your purchasing future, and try not to shred it this time for use in your "pooping corner."
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Not the best of the bunch. The Hunt for Red october was. Sum of All Fears second, and the Harrison Ford turds third and fourth. Noyce seems, like Joel Schumacher almost did, to have been reborn as a filmmaker, not just a studio traffic cop.
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Nov 15, 2002 1:16:04 PM CST
I think the sequel should be called The Foul Mouthed Yankee with
by chaffro
"Eat shit, you brotherfunker..."
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..... oh, well, it looks as if I'm in the right place. In any event, here's my dumbed down review for the offended: "movie good. Go see. Yup, yup." There. All better. You may now return to struggling mightily through HOP ON POP, wiping the sweat off your brown as you mouth the one- and two-syllable words to yourself.
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Reviewers can write however they want to write, it's the content that matters. InDividuaLiSM. yo. besides... ***it only gets harder and the hos are on to the next joe who flows***
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I go see movie now, yup, yup.
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Maybe I'm going to have to alter my approach to reviewing after all.
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I can't stand that pretentious, monosyllabic Dr. Seuss bullshit. Gimme the good ole Bearenstein Bears anyday. Never can figure out the words. But there's lots of pictures. (And the little sister bear is HOT!) Other than that, a vintage Waldo is always good. Challenging, but so witty and piquant.
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MAN IN SUIT! MAN IN SUIT! MAN IN SUIT! MAN IN SUIT! MAN IN SUIT! MAN IN SUIT! MAN IN SUIT! MAN IN SUIT! MAN IN SUIT! MAN IN SUIT! MAN IN SUIT! MAN IN SUIT! MAN IN SUIT! MAN IN SUIT! MAN IN SUIT! MAN IN SUIT! Oh, wait, this is the wrong talk back. Sorry.
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Nov 15, 2002 1:47:32 PM CST
I Was Always A Big Fan Of The Timbertoes In "Highlights Magazine
by mrbeaks
I really do love derailing my own talk back.
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Having MAN IN SUIT! Written a 1000 times and Beaksey
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I actually liked your rerview. Looking forward to the movie. Dig three syllable words. But really love watching Talk Backs fly off their tracks and skitter crazily through crowded thoroughfares.
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If someone can't understand what someone is saying, then they get defensive about it. But that really means the other person needs to expand their horizons. (I notice this happens a lot more on these reviews of anything that doesn't involve a dwarf, a wizard, spaceships, and whatnot.)
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They bitch about Harry's grammar and spelling, but when they get a literate review from a Dupont or a Beaks, they whine about pseudointellectuals and pretension. There must be some sort of middle ground that will satisfy the critics, but I kind of doubt it
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the quiet american- a film where a mute brendan fraser is brought down a hill by michael caine without saying anything. tis cheap and i m not a horrid person but it looked quite funny
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Yeah, can't wait to see the LA Times, New York Times, Washington Post, and Roger Ebert put their blatant "right-wing" spin on it. Read an editorial page for a change, you ignorant loser.
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I have said it before, I will say it again; I wish I had 1/2 of his writing talent and skill. One can only hope to come close.
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"Such complexities deepen the film
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Nov 16, 2002 8:24:51 AM CST
Hey Melies! I guess "aardvark" fucked up your day after all!
by nordling
Here's another one. "Plantation." Ooh! That's THREE WHOLE SYLLABLES! Stop faking it, you pompous moron. We all know your mother/sister is reading this to you as we speak. Now go back to your "pooping corner." Make sure you spread that disinfectant around. Whoa! Disinfectant! I bet your head's about to explode at this point. Melies = moron. Your only hope is to rent out your asshole to wayward gerbils. Uh oh, another word = "Wayward!" Try to avoid papercuts flipping through that dictionary. On second thought, don't. You in even minor pain comforts me.
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Above all else, welding teachers prefer directness.
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I mean, that's really all you had to say, isn't it George? That demonstrating an educational level above your own makes that person a dork? A nerd? A geek? Look, if you're SO FUCKING COOL, what are you doing spending all your time on the INTERNET anyway? Most of us are here because we like movies. I mean, REALLY like them (this does not include the SW/LOTR trolls, who exist solely to bait each other). Therefore, we have learned how to express our feelings on movies in terms more complex and sophisticated (look it up) than "dude, it fucking rocks" or "dude, it fucking sucks." I mean, if you're so anti-intellectual anyway, what the fuck do you think you're going to get out of a film adapted from a Graham Greene novel? No, I mean the writer, not the guy who plays all the indians in the movies. Beaks, excellent review, don't let the second stupidest George I've seen mentioned in this talkback get you down.
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When I said right-wing media I meant media outlets with a right-wing slant... even citing an example. I'm sure most people understood what I said. What I said was just following along with the very concerns by Miramax, that have had this movie shelved for a year, so far: That this movie will be attacked for depicting American's engaged in terrorist acts, and also, once again portraying American action in Vietnam in a negative light. Pat Robertson and Bill Saffire have no lost love for Olly Stone Neither will they have any for this movie, who's principal creative team is NOT American, but as earlier stated carries anti-American views at times. The Quiet American core story is small and personal, but some will only choose to harp about the broader politics of it all. Much like they ignore Platoon's internal story about Chris battling for his soul and sanity, and only focused on a message of American soldiers being murderers of innocents. Also, drop the childish insults if you want to be taken seriously.
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ALWAYS write to the best of your abilities, don't ever dumb it down for the masses. You cannot review a movie like this using grade 5 english skills... Good Job.
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I bought Spider Man and I keep all the Proof of Purchases from the DVD I get, but my Black Hawk Down one is unmarked, I have it narrowed down to about 5 posibilities. Does anyone know the Prook of Purchase number, or the color of it so I can get my free DVD?
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Why is it that Pat Robertson is personified by the left as a staple of the right. No serious conservative even listens to him anymore. Does the 700 Club have any influence on the American media? No, but count on the left to bring it up as an example of "right-wing" media. And to think that a movie will suffer because of a left-wing political message is ludicrous. Stone's garbage such as Nixon and JFK, and brainless liberal cheerleading fests like the American President and the Contender get drooling praise from the media elites, as well as the Academy voters. Any movie that is honest about our eventual commitment in Vietnam will place the blame where it should lie, LBJ and his advisors, a who's who of the political left.
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...Nordling and the other guy. You two are making me laugh so hard. Um. This is a great film. Caine is up for another Oscar. Out.
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George Melies, it's obvious how you were conceived. Your mother was impregnated from the semen drippings of her anus because your monkey father was too stupid to know what hole to stick his penis in. How's it feel to be the very first product of anal sex? No wonder you're full of fecal matter. Oh, by the way? To speak in your preferred vernacular? Anus = asshole. Penis = dick. Fecal matter = shit. Clear things up? You're so cute when you're all flustered like that.
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...for reminding me of why I never visit this site much anymore. Maybe Beaks was a little grandiose (uh-oh,) but I understood him perfectly. And I don't think it's pompous, I think it's commonly known as "writing above the third grade level." If you thought he was a bad writer, say so. But you called him pompous, not illiterate. Translation? You have a hard time reading it, so it must be pompous, right? God, I can only imagine what would happen if you read something by Eco, Joyce, or even Burroughs. Your head might very well implode. Nice of you to note that there should be a seperate site for this "kind" of writing...wouldn't want the Proles to get any notions of grandeur (oops!) would you? Oh yeah, and BTW, naming yourself after one of the pioneers of cinema doesn't mean you know what the Hell you're talking about.
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Let's see, Whitey. O'Reilly is against the death penalty, supports Campaign Finance Reform, favors strict gun control, is pro-choice, pro-gay rights, supports the Kyoto environmental treaty, and says Bobby Kennedy is his favorite politician. Yeah, definitely a right winger.
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