Quiet American (the)

Genre: psychological drama  

With: Michael Caine (Thomas Fowler), Brendan Fraser (Alden Pyle), Do Thi Hai Yen (Phong)

Director: Phillip Noyce

Release: 2002

Studio:  Giai Phong Film Studio, IMF Internationale Medien und Film GmbH & Co. 2. Produktions KG, Intermedia Films et al.

Rating: PG

MBiS score: 8.1/10

The Politics of Love and War

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Story-line: the year is 1954, the location is Vietnam and a war of attrition rages on in the countryside between French and communist forces. Thomas Fowler, a British journalist, covers it all from Saigon where he lives comfortably with his mistress Phong. Things do change, however, with the arrival of an American doctor named Alden Pyle…

Pluses: an able cast led by the always interesting Michael Caine, a gripping story (based on a Graham Greene novel), an exotic decor.

Minuses: none really.

Comments: there’s a bit of everything in this captivating and evenly solid film that plays like a metaphor of French – and later American – intervention in Indochina. If you have missed this modest but striking movie when it came out, feel free to catch it now!

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Tully

Also known as: What Happened to Tully?

Genre: personal drama 

With: Anson Mount (Tully Jr.), Glenn Fitzgerald (his brother Earl), Bob Burrus (Tully Coates Sr., their father),  Catherine Kellner (April Reece), Julianne Nicholson (Ella Smalley), Natalie Canerday (Claire), John Diehl (Mal ‟Mac” MacAvoy)

Director: Hilary Birmingham

Release: 2000

Studio: Telltale Films

Rating: R

MBiS score: 8.1/10

Restless Hearts in the Heartland

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Story-line: Tully and Earl, who live and work on the family farm in Nebraska, have reached adulthood and now face troublesome realities. Should they stay on or head for the city, love on the run or settle down? Such is their dilemma and a turning point is near…

Pluses: high-quality performances by lesser-known actors, faultless dialogues and screenwriting, skilful direction.

Minuses: none.

Comments: I don’t know about you but I’m not very fond of mediocre star vehicles, empty blockbusters or extravagant FX. That’s why I liked TULLY, a mature and realistic drama about lives evolving, truths untold and characters you can care about. I was plain lucky to see this worthy, down-to-earth movie… but you won’t need any luck to find it!

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