Michael Caine and Brendon Fraser have careers that seem somewhat similar. Both are very fine actors, but both have acted in their fair share of real bombs. But, among the bombs have also been some very fine films, and this is one of them.
Michael Caine is superb here as a journalist covering Viet Nam during the French colonial period prior to Dien Bien Phu; he was nominated for an Academy Award for this performance, and deservedly so. Brendan Fraser is also excellent as an undercover CIA agent. Fraser falls in love with Caine's Vietnamese mistress (the beautiful Do Thi Hai Yen). So we have a love triangle, as well as an international affairs triangle. The relationship between Caine and Fraser is interesting -- friendly but wary. To tell you more would ruin the film -- this is one film where it's best to figure out what is really happening as you go.
It's difficult to find much to criticize here. If it looks "real", it's because much of it was filmed in Vietnam.
So, savor a fine film with fine performances.
Michael Caine is superb here as a journalist covering Viet Nam during the French colonial period prior to Dien Bien Phu; he was nominated for an Academy Award for this performance, and deservedly so. Brendan Fraser is also excellent as an undercover CIA agent. Fraser falls in love with Caine's Vietnamese mistress (the beautiful Do Thi Hai Yen). So we have a love triangle, as well as an international affairs triangle. The relationship between Caine and Fraser is interesting -- friendly but wary. To tell you more would ruin the film -- this is one film where it's best to figure out what is really happening as you go.
It's difficult to find much to criticize here. If it looks "real", it's because much of it was filmed in Vietnam.
So, savor a fine film with fine performances.