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The Quiet American

2002·Movie
1h 41min·R

Where to watch

Links go to licensed services. Data from JustWatch and TMDB.

The Quiet American fingerprint

High energy, immersive world.

Energy

Tense

Builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.

  • Tension8
  • Adrenaline6
  • Violence6

Heart

Melancholic

  • Melancholy7
  • Romance6
  • Pathos6

Humor

Some satire and sharp wit

Not a comedy at heart.

  • Satire & Parody7
  • Wit & Wordplay5
  • Dark Humor5

World

Politics, history, and mystery

Lived-in and easy to get lost in.

  • World Immersion8
  • Dialogue Centrality8
  • Ambiguity8

Craft

Standout direction, performances, and storytelling

Layered plot that rewards full attention.

  • Intrigue9
  • Direction8
  • Acting8

Style

Standout cinematography

  • Cinematography8
  • Editing7
  • Music Composition7

Who it's for

AdultsDate NightFriends NightPartner WatchPublic Viewing SafeSolo WatchThought-Provoking

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Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.

About

In war, the most powerful weapon is seduction.

Cynical British journalist Fowler falls in love with a young Vietnamese woman but is dismayed when a naïve U.S. official also begins vying for her attention. In retaliation, Fowler informs the communists that the American is selling arms to their enemy.
Political IntrigueHistorical DramaVietnam War EraMoral AmbiguityCharacter-DrivenSuspenseful NarrativeSatirical ElementsComplex RelationshipsThought-Provoking

Crew

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

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Questions about The Quiet American

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream The Quiet American legally?

The Quiet American is included with a subscription to fuboTV and Paramount+ in the United States. You can watch it free with ads on Kanopy and Hoopla. You can also rent or buy it from Apple TV, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, and Google Play Movies. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.

Is The Quiet American worth watching?

77
GreatGoodWatch score

Mostly. It's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 77/100 (IMDb 7, Rotten Tomatoes 87%, and Metacritic 84). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is The Quiet American rated?

RViolence

It's rated R in the United States. Content advisories: violence.

How long is The Quiet American?

1 h 41 min

The Quiet American runs 1 h 41 min.

Is The Quiet American based on a true story?

No. It's adapted from a novel.

Do critics and audiences agree on The Quiet American?

Critics86
Audiences71

Not quite. Critics rate The Quiet American higher (86) than audiences (71). It may be more rewarding than it is crowd-pleasing.

Was The Quiet American a box office hit?

Budget$30 million
Box office$28 million

No. It cost about $30 million to make and earned $28 million worldwide, 92% of its budget.

What language is The Quiet American in?

EnglishFrenchVietnamese

It was made in English, with some French, Vietnamese. Produced in France, Germany, United Kingdom, United States, Vietnam.

In how many countries can I watch The Quiet American?

50ARAUBOBRCACLCOCRCVDKECESFIFR+36

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for The Quiet American in 50 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.

What tropes does The Quiet American use?

But I Read a Book About ItPyrrhic VictoryMurder the HypotenuseSelective ObliviousnessMay–December RomanceHoliday in Cambodia"Where Are They Now?" EpilogueWhite Shirt of DeathEagle LandTake a Third OptionDid Not Get the GirlWar Is Helland 35 more

TV Tropes lists 47 storytelling tropes for The Quiet American, including But I Read a Book About It, Pyrrhic Victory, Murder the Hypotenuse.