I just saw The Quiet American. Wow. Wotta movie!

[Armstead]

I took my week overdue copy of The Quiet American starring Michael Caine to some friends' house to watch it tonite, not having watched it yet.

I'd heard it was good, but I didn't know how good it would be. It's a great movie. One of those films that hits on many levels, as a story, character study, political film and just as a movie-movie. It starts out slow but pulls you in and by the end you've been on a real roller coaster.

Takes place in Vietnam in 1952. Won't tell you the story, as it's one of those films that the less you know going in the better.

Originally it was scheduled to be released in autumn of 2001. But after 9-11, the film company decided it was too "anti-American" for the public, so they didn't release it in the US for a long time. A shame. But it finally did get released and is now on DVD.

Definetly put it on your must-see list.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

1. I'll second that!

I believe that it was Michael Caine himself who insisted that the movie be taken out of mothballs and distributed.

Definitely one of the best films of the year, and SOOOO relevant to our current situation.

[Kathy in Cambridge]

2. I read the book years ago

and saw the movie a few months ago. very timely. the audience laughed at a few points during comments about US forein policy.

[Cha]

3. I had heard the same! But was equally impressed about just

How Good it was!

Before I saw it I thought I wasn't really in the mood for that kind of a movie but when I started watching it I was riveted to the set!

That's the movie they tried to not release before the bush attack on Iraq!

And Michael Caine lobbied to have have it released at least on a small scale so it could be eligible for the Oscars! He was nominated for an Academy Award but lost to Adrian Brody for the "The Pianist".

[stanwyck]

4. Very good movie

I was fascinated by the early Viet Nam time period. Of course, the parallels with our Iraq situation were interesting...and scary.

[seventhson]

5. Awesome. Yes. Must see!!!

Michael Caine is brilliant and beautiful as is Brendan Fraser and the female lead. Ouch!

Fraser is just perfect.

[otohara]

6. The Time Line on DVD

was am eye opener. I did not read the book, nor was I up on our lenghty history with Vietnam. Have you looked at it? It's a special feature on DVD. I wish I would have checked it out before watching the movie.

[SOteric]

7. Thanks.

I haven't had much time for movies lately. I was just thinking the other that it might be good to rent something I hadn't had a chance to see in theatres. Nothing came to mind. Now I've got a recommendation. - Kewel!

[tjdee]

8. I think I'm in love with Graham Greene.

I love love love "The Third Man". Although I wasn't particularly thrilled by the film version of "The End of the Affair", for a number of reasons, the story was very powerful, IMO. There is something about his style that is so fetching (that's my new descriptor, LOL). Of course, it may be wise of me to actually pick up a novel and see if indeed, I feel the love. Been meaning to pick up "The Power and The Glory".

I very much enjoyed "The Quiet American" as well, and the timeline on the DVD, as someone said, is indeed illuminating. I too had no idea about our involvement in Vietnam, and how the French got involved in the first place.

[Lindsey]

9. I've been meaning to rent

it..will do so today :-)

[Cheswick2.0]

10. Clearly I am going to have to rent this one

I keep reading recommendations for it here on DU.