Quiet American, The MPAA Rating: R Entertainment: +2 Content: -2

Based on the novel by Graham Greene, this remake of the 1958 film is a story of love, war and deceit set in French Indochina in 1952. During the Vietnamese fight for independence from French colonial rule, London Times journalist Thomas Fowler (Michael Caine) has been living in Saigon for several years, covering the French occupation and the new American presence. While there, the married reporter has taken a beautiful mistress, Phuong (Do Thi Hai Yen), who provides him with companionship and opium. One day Fowler meets a young American, Alden Pyle (Brendan Fraser), who claims to be there working for the United States on humanitarian grounds. Pyle meets and falls in love with Phuong. While the two men vie for Phuongs attention, Fowler senses something odd about this quiet American. When he hears Pyle speaking fluent Vietnamese in the aftermath of a bombing, Fowler uses his investigative talents to uncover Pyles true mission.

The Quiet American was shot on location, resulting in some dramatic scenery. Michael Caines performance in the role of the lazy, selfish journalist will likely draw him an Oscar nomination. Overall, the acting is solid, but the film has several violent scenes along with constant drug use and foul language. The movie opens with a dead body floating in the water. There are several shootings and vivid explosions, including wartime bombings and a car bombing. In the aftermath of one explosion, bloody, burnt bodies are seen, as well as a man whose legs are blown off. A man is shown being stabbed in the chest. Caines character smokes opium on several occasions, and there are a few scenes of drinking in bars. In one scene, a woman takes off her top, and sex is implied. Caines character makes no attempt to hide his adultery and dismisses his marriage as a nuisance. Because of this historical dramas violence, opium abuse and bad language, Preview classifies it as a 2 acceptability.

Preview Reviewer: Bob Nusser
Distributor: Miramax