Historical drama. The screen version of the novel of the same name by British writer and spy Graham Greene, the second in a row (it is better not to remember the first one at all, because Hollywood has literally turned everything inside out). I have not read the book itself, but in the future I am going to correct this defect and buy this work, so I evaluate the picture as an independent work, very close to the original text (as opposed to the first film adaptation). I already saw this picture in 2014, when I got acquainted with the work of the wonderful English actor Michael Caine, and I wanted to look at Brandon Fraser. And since I plunged into the world of intelligence and espionage, why not reconsider this picture, especially since it is just in the subject here. And here is my brief opinion - Undercover games of "lights of democracy". There were both pluses and minuses in the picture, and I intend to turn to them in more detail now. Pour some tea - we'll start.
So the pros:
1. Story told - Saigon. The beginning of the fifties of the twentieth century. Thomas Fowler, a British journalist in his prime, lives and works in the city, along with his Vietnamese mistress Phuong. An Asian paradise, in which the First Indochina War flares, in which the communists are fighting for the freedom of Vietnam from the French colonialists, and quite successfully, because the French are surrendering one position after another under the onslaught of the communists. But Thomas's measured life ends when he meets the visiting American Alden Pyle, who has his eye on Phuong. Yes, yes, a classic love triangle against the background of political games in one, separately taken country. The story unfolding is interesting to watch. How will Thomas react, given that he has a certain liking for Pyle? Who will Phuong choose? Why did politics move sharply? What's really going on? Is this a coincidence or links in the same chain? Thomas, like the viewer, has to figure it all out. The finale delighted me from the heart and even made me empathize.
2. The love triangle is a classic of the classics, but here it is well served and superbly played. Both heroes are good-looking and attractive, their difference is only in beliefs and age, so Phuong faces a dilemma that requires a subtle and balanced approach. Its ending turned out to be unconventional, but it's even interesting.
3. Vietnamese entourage - the picture was filmed on the spot, and it was a landmark event, because for the first time American filmmakers worked together with Vietnamese for the first time, after the end of the Second Indochina War, so there is no feeling of fake when watching. The viewer literally absorbs the atmosphere of this mysterious country with its culture, customs and mentality. The creators even managed to recreate the very mood of the early fifties (even before the American invasion).
4. Criticism of American imperialism - the book is saturated with this, since the author was at that moment in Saigon and saw all the events with his own eyes. This picture almost relentlessly follows the original source, criticizing the policy of the "exclusive" nation to create lawlessness and encourage atrocities in the name of "democracy" and "freedom" (in those years - for the sake of fighting communism). This topic is still relevant and fresh as never before. Moreover, its author is not from a communist state, but from Great Britain - in fact, US puppets. A Western man who has a conscience and he simply could not remain silent, and even more so he was then a British spy.
5. Politics - there is enough of it here and to understand it is a thankless task, but you have to. Moreover, almost all of this was in reality. The creators only slightly embellished reality. The public mood of people sympathizing with the Communists, the resistance of the French, thawing day by day, the appearance of a local general who allegedly speaks for the people, secret assistance to the United States and so on.
So the cons:
1. Context - for me, as a person who loves history and politics, it was interesting and comfortable to watch this picture, but a person who does not have such knowledge will not understand a lot. It would be necessary to add a textual reference to the picture, briefly explaining the basis of what is happening in the picture of the conflict.
2. Understatement - not everything was explained in the picture, and this is a little surprising, especially in the ending.
A little about the main characters:
1. Thomas Fowler, played by Michael Caine, is a British journalist living in Saigon and closely watching the dramatic events taking place in this country. Clever, well-read, during this time managed to fall in love with this mysterious Vietnam, which he wishes for peace and prosperity. His experiences in politics and in love perfectly reveal his inner world. And Michael Caine perfectly played this hero, whom you empathize with, although in terms of morality he is far from an example to follow. Michael is great as always. Bravo!
2. Alden Pyle played by Brendan Fraser is a newly arrived American with whom Thomas befriends, although Pyle falls in love with his mistress. Modest, but clearly hides something, because subsequent events clearly hint at this. It was unusual to see Brendan in the role of a villain, therefore, Brendan is a dairyman, although the roles of heroes suit him much better.
3. Phuong performed by Do Thi Hai Yen is Thomas's mistress and Pail's lover, who cannot choose one of them. A talented dancer and just a beautiful girl worth fighting for. An actress from Vietnam who did a great job. Clever girl!
It is a pity that the picture failed at the box office, since the efforts of the creators are visible. Very, very sorry. Now you definitely need to read the book.
As a result, we have a good historical drama about unbending Vietnam, with an excellent script, great surroundings, atmosphere and music, and with a great acting duet of Michael Caine and Brendan Fraser.
My rating is 7 out of 10 and my recommendation for viewing!