Graham Greene: The Quiet American

[chiangmaifalcon]

Finished reading The Quiet American by Graham Greene. This is one of few times I can say I thought movie was better than book. The movie had scenes that did not even exist in book, but the movie explained things much better than book did. Also, the movie characters had more believable dialogue than the book did. Michael Caine played a really good part in movie and made you understand the character more than in the book. In book, he spends half the time ranting about politics, and the other half talking about how he does not care about politics. My advice is to watch the movie and skip the book.

 

[Will]

I saw the movie which I really enjoyed, and then read the book, which I also enjoyed a fair amount. I actually found the book to do more justice to Pyle (intelligent but naive in his actions which go on to have terrible consequences) and actually made Fowler's character to have far more negative aspects as it details his background and thoughts. I think it's a contrast between himself as a journalist writing about the politics and Pyle as an active player shaping the political scenery (for better or worse), and yet Fowler could be argued as being equally dangerous in his attitudes (colonial) and selfish behaviour and actions toward Phuong.

 

[Andrez]

I saw the movie and read the book, though to my mind The Quiet American isn't Graham Greene's strongest work - Brighton Rock and The Third Man are superior.
I'd place the film and movie of The Quiet American on about the same level. I liked both, but was won over by neither.

 

[jimthompson]

This is one of my favorite books. I also agree movie makes Fowler more of a hero than does the book, and also makes Pyle more of a villain. I never read Third Man, but I had the movie on a dvd and watched it many times.

 

[Andrez]

I'd rate The Third Man as one of the best ever movies, and the book steers mighty close.

 

[jimthompson]

If you like book and movie of Third Man I also recommend The Year of Living Dangerously. Also both the book and the movie. Unfortunately I cannot remember who wrote the book, but I remember he is australian.

 

[Andrez]

Ahhh, Christopher Koch - yep a fellow Aussie indeed. And great movie, though I haven't had the chance to read the book. Thanks for the reminder, Jim.