neumu [ cinematronic ]




	The Quiet American
	Philip Noyce Michael Caine, Brendan Fraser, Do Thi Hai Yen 2002		Michael Caine, whose filmography spans five decades, from "Alfie" to "The Cider House Rules," enhances a long, illustrious career with his landmark performance in "The Quiet American." That's far from the only reason to see this richly textured adaptation of Graham Greene's 1955 novel. Australian director Philip Noyce ("Rabbit-Proof Fence") brings a sure hand to "The Quiet American," which is well served by a literate script, arresting look and keen cast. Its cross-cultural romantic triangle, geopolitical machinations and murder mystery play out in the exotic setting of early 1950s Vietnam. Caine inhabits the role of rumpled, apathetic British journalist Thomas Fowler like a dissolute alcoholic hunkers down in a two-bit hotel room. Fowler is in Saigon to cover Vietnam's battle against French colonial rule for a London newspaper. Despite having a wife back in the UK, Fowler loves the beautiful Vietnamese girl Phuong (Do Thi Hai Yen). All is idyllic until the paper asks Fowler to return home, a mysterious American (Brendan Fraser of "The Mummy") becomes a rival for Phuong's affection, and guerrilla combat heats up in the area.