The Quiet American

The Quiet American has an interesting story, great actors and is reasonably well made. But it’s exceedingly low-key and quiet, both emotionally and in terms of the viewing experience. (11.06.2003)

One of the proofs that Brendan Fraser should not be afraid of serious roles. In combination with the thoughtful Cain, their corrosive jealous chemistry is almost unbearable. If that object of conflict in the form of a beautiful Vietnamese was slightly more striking, Noyce would have a truly masterful work under his belt. However, the atmosphere of mysterious Saigon remains in the heart damn long. (25.01.2006)

A masterfully crafted film. It is true that occasionally it loses pace, but for example, the explosion scene in the square is presented very realistically. Michael Caine is great, Brendan Fraser is passable, nothing extraordinary. Phillip Noyce is exactly the kind of filmmaker who always does a decent job. He’s never great, nor is he ever bad, just like his films. (24.06.2004)

A very, very slow moving story told by Phillip Noyce with the help of Michael Caine's acting skills and Brendan Fraser's efforts, beautiful cinematography and Armstrong's almost hypnotic music. Although after the first few minutes I thought I "knew what I was in for", the script managed to surprise and not bore me during the hour and forty minutes. My rating might have been higher if The Quiet American had been a bit more gripping and dramatic (after all, very, very slow-moving films can do that too) - as it is, I give it a clean four stars and I am going to go read Green's novel. (18.02.2011)