THE QUIET AMERICAN
US, 2002, 100 minutes, Colour.
Michael Caine, Brendan Fraser, Do Thi Hai En, Tzi Ma, Robert Stanton, Holmes Osborne.
Directed by Philip Noyce.
Brendan Fraser plays Alden Pyle, the too-good-to-be-true neat, dapper and courteous American allegedly in Indochina to assist with aid to trachoma sufferers, the embodiment of the 1950s eligible and promising young man. But he was a covert CIA operative. Surface charm and ingenuous manners covering ruthless ideology and commitment - and action. Which was the real Alden Pyle? which the mask? Or both?
While Alden Pyle is the quiet American of the story, the focus is on British journalist, Thomas Fowler, an average, perhaps mediocre, foreign correspondent who describes himself as a listener and merely a reporter. Fowler has succumbed to the attractions of Asia, found himself a comfortable niche and, refused a divorce by his wife, he has taken a beautiful young Vietnamese taxi dancer, Phuong, as his mistress. Is this the real Thomas Fowler or an idle mask which he removes when confronted by the duplicity of his friend, Pyle, and is challenged by the brutality of the 'third force' that the CIA is supporting and the victims lying dead and mangled in the streets?
The film does not offer clear-cut answers to these questions. Rather, it makes dramatic suggestions for the audience to ponder.
Considerable talent has gone into the making of this political thriller. Graham Greene's novel was published in the 1950s and madman immediate impact, Greene once again providing insights into an exotic land and political intricacies as he did with Mexico, Sierra Leone, Cuba for English-speaking readers. This screen adaptation is the work of playwright Christopher Hampton, perhaps best known for writing Dangerous Liaisons for the theatre. The director is Australian Phillip Noyce whose recent film, Rabbit Proof Fence, tackled the particularly sensitive issue of the removal of aboriginal children, especially those of 'mixed blood', from their families during the first half of the twentieth century. It tells the story of three little girls in the 1930s who ran away from the institution and followed the fence built through Western Australia to keep out rabbits until they got back home again. Noyce also inserted critical comments against the Suharto regime in Indonesia in his Tom Clancy thriller, Clear and Present Danger.
Michael Caine gives one of his best performances as Thomas Fowler. Fowler has drifted to Indochina, has become comfortable there, observes life and the war with detachment and has become comfortable. He explains that he is a man of regular habits, taking a cup of tea in mid-morning at a cafe in the square before turning up for work before midday. The way in which the role is written and is played by Caine suggests something of drifting, detachment, focus on the present and a kind of rather quiet life.
With the coming of Pyle into his life and Pyle taking Phuong, with an imminent recall to London, Fowler is galvanised into action: to visit the north where he sees the aftermath of a massacre of villagers, to interview an emerging general, escaping with Pyle's help from an ambush set up by the general and, finally, discovering who Pyle really is, horrified at the car bomb explosions and the victims and finally becoming complicit in Pyle's death. Is this the real Fowler, taking sides, more compassionate, more decisive, seeing the many sides of the situation - was the lazy and complacent journalist merely a comfortable mask?
For those who enjoy comparisons of originals and remakes, it is worth pointing out that The Quiet American was first filmed in 1957 by Joseph L Mankiewicz whose career included All About Eve, the Brando Julius Caesar, Guys and Dolls, Suddenly Last Summer and Cleopatra. In that version there was no explicit mention of the new CIA. Dien Bien Phu was a recent event rather than history. It was Michael Redgrave who played Fowler bringing a more stately and articulate presence to the role than Michael Caine. Caine is more credible in the role. In that version, Pyle was played by Audie Murphy, taking time off from the many westerns he made in those days. Still baby-faced, Murphy was ideal casting, perhaps even better than Brendan Fraser because the good-boy, baby mask made what he was doing even more sinister. (For those in the know, Murphy was one of America's most decorated soldiers in World War II and had re-enacted his story in the 1955 To Hell and Back - but he still looked too young and innocent to have achieved what he did.)
Pyle's mask is bland. When we finally see him take charge after the explosions, we see far more decisiveness and, in his explanation of his vision of America stepping in to save Indochina from Communism (with echoes of the US philosophy of 'manifest destiny' for world leadership), he talks 'big picture' language. What kind of man? How would you know with a covert agent?
1. Impact of the film in 2002 and the political situation? The film's relevance about American foreign policy? In the 50s, 60s, the beginning of the 21st century?
2. Graham Greene's perspective on the political situation in Asia, his understanding of Vietnam, the background of Indo China? His own personal issues, relationships? Betrayal?
3. The Vietnamese locations, the use of the cities, the countryside? The opening and Fowler's comments on Vietnam and its attraction? The interiors, apartments, restaurants, hotels? The musical score and its mood?
4. The 50s and the political situation in Indo China, the presence of the French, rebellion against colonialism, the rise of the communists? War? The retreat of the French, the treaties, the division of Vietnam? The preparation for the third force, the CIA backing, the aftermath and the Vietnam War?
5. The terrorist war in Vietnam, in the countryside, the grenades in the city? The emergence of General The and the Third Party, the backing of the CIA, using terrorist tactics to scare the people, to blame it on the communists and therefore being able to step in?
6. The structure of the film: the death of Pyle, the inspector and his interrogation of Fowler, Fowler's voice-over and his explanations? The reprise of the inspector's visit at the end, the importance of the footprint of the dog, Fowler's lies, responsibility?
7. The focus on Thomas Fowler, Michael Caine's presence and performance, age, experience, relationship with his wife, her being a Catholic and refusing to give a divorce, his work in Saigon, his being lazy, his dependence on his assistant, the cable from head office, his being called back, his devising the expedition to the north, saving himself another month? His relationship with Phuong, a man of regular habits, detached point of view, sympathetic, an easy life as a correspondent? His explanation that he was merely a reporter?
8. Pyle, the thirty-year-old American of the 50s, well-groomed, well-mannered, courtesy, his concern about eye disease, his loyalty to the United States? His being at the legation, his liaison at the legation? His meeting Fowler, their discussion, his recognising his work in the times? The drunken American, the brothel, his being rescued? Immediate infatuation with Phuong? The restaurant, the taxi dancers, Phuong's sister, her bitterness towards Fowler, her interest in Pyle? His dancing, declaration of love for Phuong? His wanting to be friends with Fowler?
9. The expedition to the north, the arrangement, observation, the horror of the massacre, the effect on Fowler, his article and the way that it was used? His continuing his investigation, seeing General The in the parade? Mr Muoi? The interview with General The, his hostility to the questions, breaking off the interview, the subsequent attack on the road, Pyle offering to accompany Fowler, his motives to save him from injury?
10. On the side of the road, the soldiers in the tower, the attack, the soldiers' fear, the escape, Fowler injuring his leg? Pyle and his taking up the gun and the violent defence of Fowler?
11. Pyle, in Saigon, his explanation of his motivation to Phuong and Fowler, Fowler sitting back detached? The argument, Phuong's choices? The letter from his wife, Fowler deceiving Phuong, her sister reading it, Phuong deciding to leave him? Her living with Pyle, the plan to marry in Boston?
12. The role of Phuong's sister, at the restaurant, the family and its background, her work at the legation? Phuong as a symbol of Vietnam, dependent on the outsiders, waiting to be saved, the Americans coming to her rescue?
13. The Diolactin, Mr Muoi and his imports, getting them through Customs, Pyle's explanation about their use for medical reasons, Fowler's looking up the books, finding that they were used in explosives? The visit to the warehouse? Their being ordered off? The role of Hinh as assistant to Fowler, the contact with the communists, the official statements, unofficial? Taking him from the warehouse? Fowler and his sitting in the square, the ordinary weekday morning, the exploding cars, the close-ups on the visuals of the injured and dead people, the photographer? Pyle's arrival, the blood on his cuff, talking to the police, fluent Vietnamese?
14. Fowler and his compassion, his looking at the people, deeply moved, understanding Pyle, confronting him?
15. Pyle's philosophy, Americanism, the long-range big picture and people having to die for ultimate good, the Third Force, the support of General The? The role of the CIA in Vietnam?
16. Hinh, the discussions with Fowler? Realising his disgust with Pyle, the plan with the book, Pyle and his dog arriving, the discussion, Fowler giving the signal at the window? Continuing to talk, some later regrets?
17. Pyle and the set-up, his being pursued, the chase, his being stabbed and thrown in the river? Fowler and the table for one, the drunken American, his son and polio - and the irony of his comment about wanting his son to live no matter how disfigured or ill, Fowler and his being a father-figure to Pyle?
18. The inspector, the discussions with Fowler, the open case?
19. The confrontation to Fowler, having to take sides, move from moral grey areas, alert conscience, heart and compassion, responsibility? The aftermath and his continuing in Vietnam as a correspondent and the indications of the war with the final image of the newspaper and the blinded soldier?
