In the gradual build-up of involvement in Vietnam by the US, before we fully declared our intentions, our interlopers had many guises. In the case of the newly arrived, quiet and open-faced American, Alden Pyle (Brendan Fraser), it is as a medical aid specialist.
London Times journalist Thomas Fowler (Michael Caine), offers an intoxicating narration of the story, and has a live and let live philosophy¾with good reason. He turns in a minimum number of stories to keep his posting in Saigon. He has a steady supply of opium and a beautiful young girl as his mistress. His face is a road map of all the dark places he's been.
You can overlay the political landscape and climate of Vietnam in 1952 with the relationship of these three people. Based on Graham Greene's 1955 novel, Fowler's British steadfastness promises nothing, beyond taking what he needs from Phuong (Do Thi Hai Yen) and caring for her in return, e.g., the paternalism of colonialism. Pyle's idealistic plan to save Phuong, as he helps save Vietnam from Communism, takes shape almost immediately when he meets her, e.g., the dream of democracy, at any cost¾and the need to control the dream.
The French and the British are firmly entrenched in the country and its politics. Now comes the American, well mannered and well educated. And though Fowler likes Pyle, he senses something beneath the man's air of innocence.
At the risk of being recalled to London by the Times, and an unhappy Catholic marriage he can't get out of, Fowler hitches a ride to the war zone with French soldiers, in order to file a "front line" story. At another time he observes a militaristic, take charge attitude by Pyle, during a bombing. And Pyle's orders are barked out in perfect Vietnamese. Who is this man from America, with a keen interest in an emerging Vietnamese leader? Fowler and his assistant, Hinh, begin to unearth the truth.
Michael Caine, one of our favorite actors, is perfect as the desperately in love Fowler. Not quite down and out as a lover or an investigative reporter.
"The Quiet American" is an example of what director Phillip Noyce does best, personalize the face of political struggle and change. "Rabbit Proof Fence,"another recent release directed by Noyce, does this as well.
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