The Quiet American (2002)
Michael Caine, who had previously won two Best Supporting Actor Oscars, was up for Best Actor for his role in The Quiet American. It was an incredibly steep year, with Jack Nicholson up for About Schmidt, Nicolas Cage for Adaptation, and Daniel Day-Lewis for Gangs of New York. I’ll never forget the tears in Michael Caine’s eyes when the one candidate who shouldn’t have even been nominated was called to the podium: Adrien Brody for The Pianist.
For that reason alone, you should rent The Quiet American. Michael Caine puts his whole heart in to the film, and as usual, he’s the reason the film is at all memorable. It’s a tense romance during wartime in 1950s Saigon. Michael Caine’s mistress, the beautiful Do Thi Hai Yen, captures Brendan Fraser’s eye when he comes to Vietnam. While much of the film is a love triangle—but who would really look twice at Brendan Fraser when they’re with Michael Caine?—an equal portion of the film is a film about the events leading up to the Vietnam war. Director Phillip Noyce has created a beautiful modern classic, one that isn’t grizzly or upsetting to watch. It flows seamlessly, with captivating cinematography to show Saigon as a romantic city, rather than a terrifying warzone. For some very good acting, as well an intensely dramatic story, rent this film for a special and memorable evening.
More Michael Caine movies here!
For that reason alone, you should rent The Quiet American. Michael Caine puts his whole heart in to the film, and as usual, he’s the reason the film is at all memorable. It’s a tense romance during wartime in 1950s Saigon. Michael Caine’s mistress, the beautiful Do Thi Hai Yen, captures Brendan Fraser’s eye when he comes to Vietnam. While much of the film is a love triangle—but who would really look twice at Brendan Fraser when they’re with Michael Caine?—an equal portion of the film is a film about the events leading up to the Vietnam war. Director Phillip Noyce has created a beautiful modern classic, one that isn’t grizzly or upsetting to watch. It flows seamlessly, with captivating cinematography to show Saigon as a romantic city, rather than a terrifying warzone. For some very good acting, as well an intensely dramatic story, rent this film for a special and memorable evening.
More Michael Caine movies here!