The Ugly American

Rating:
Summary: Misses the mark
Review: Although this movie was/is touted as a political thriller, there's nothing thrilling about it. And although this movie is well-intentioned, the problem is that it offers too simplistic an account of US foreign affairs as they relate Asia. The poor direction, an inferior script, poor cinematography and coloration, generic looking setting, poor casting--and overall poor production sabatoged this film. Brando gives a good performance, but the lack of chemistry between he and his supporting cast--especially the actor who played the character Deong--is evident.

I especially did not like the allusion to Julius Ceasar--a movie Brando had done years earlier. I felt that it was a desperate act on the part of the writers to try to capitalize off of Brando's association with and the success of that movie. Although I agree with many of the sentiments espoused by the character Deong--I was not moved by his performance, nor the movie in general--I was not made to feel the plight of the Sarkanese people--and I should have been--this is a major failure of this film and one reason why it misses the mark.

Rating:
Summary: Fascinating Vietnam Era Drama with Brando
Review: Fascinating drama about Communist insurgency in early-60s Southeast Asia. Takes place in a fictional country named "Sarkhan," which was based at the time on the situations in Laos and Vietnam. Brando is great as the U.S. Ambassador to volatile Sarkhan, trying to balance American political objectives with the nationalist sentiments of the "Sarkhanese" people. Perhaps one of the most intelligent political films of the 1960s. Also includes the Asian perspective and real Asian settings, a rare achievement for a Hollywood film of that era. It was beautifully filmed in Thailand, and the VHS looks great. The story lacks clarity and pace at a few points, keeping the film from being five-star. But it succeeds as a rich character drama in an exotic setting, and an powerful historical statement...a much more intelligent look at the politics of the 1960s in Asia than more famous films like "The Green Berets." Highly recommended for viewers interested in Asia, the Vietnam War era, and Brando fans.

Rating:
Summary: Fascinating Vietnam Era Drama with Brando
Review: Fascinating drama about Communist insurgency in early-60s Southeast Asia. Takes place in a fictional country named "Sarkhan," which was based at the time on the situations in Laos and Vietnam. Brando is great as the U.S. Ambassador to volatile Sarkhan, trying to balance American political objectives with the nationalist sentiments of the "Sarkhanese" people. Perhaps one of the most intelligent political films of the 1960s. Also includes the Asian perspective and real Asian settings, a rare achievement for a Hollywood film of that era. It was beautifully filmed in Thailand, and the VHS looks great. The story lacks clarity and pace at a few points, keeping the film from being five-star. But it succeeds as a rich character drama in an exotic setting, and an powerful historical statement...a much more intelligent look at the politics of the 1960s in Asia than more famous films like "The Green Berets." Highly recommended for viewers interested in Asia, the Vietnam War era, and Brando fans.

Rating:
Summary: Not quite what it seems...
Review: It's been a long time since I've seen the Ugly American. I would have watched it more, it's just that it's so difficult to find... anywhere. Many people consider it a political drama. I would have to disagree. To me, it's more of a social commentary, not only on the entire situation in Vietnam, but also as relates to US foreign policy in general.
It never pretends to have any of the intricacy of "The Insider," or the insight of "JFK." It is, none the less, one of the better fils I have seen to date. Marlon Brando's performance is admirable, and the mood almost reminds me of an Akira Kurosawa movie.
In my opinion, this movie has been overshadowed because people did not like the message it sent, nor did they like the often thinly veiled criticism of US foreign policy during the 60's.

Overall, I would say it was an excellent movie, turning me from an apathetic movie watcher to a marlon brando fan.

Rating:
Summary: A PRESCIENT DRAMA
Review: Marlon Brando starred in "The Ugly American", which despite its title was not liberal, but proved to be prescient. It was loosely based on the friendship developed between an American fighter pilot, shot down and fighting with guerillas, and Ho Chi Minh, who was fighting the Japanese during World War II. Marlon, the former pilot-turned-PR-executive, is named ambassador to a small Southeast Asian nation modeled on Indochina. The reason he is appointed is because of his friendship with a populist leader there who the U.S. fears may be a Communist. Brando assures them the man is not one, but when he gets there he discovers the man is. Their friendship turns into mortal enmity, and America's largesse, goodwill and social conscience are thrown back at us by savage mobs roiled by Marxist ideology. The final scene shows a press conference detailing the crisis, with a businessman changing the channel on his TV to show American indifference to the world's crises. Considering what happened in Vietnam over the next years, it proved to be a real cautionary tale.

STEVEN TRAVERS
AUTHOR OF "BARRY BONDS: BASEBALL'S SUPERMAN"
[e-mail]

Rating:
Summary: A PRESCIENT DRAMA
Review: Marlon Brando starred in "The Ugly American", which despite its title was not liberal, but proved to be prescient. It was loosely based on the friendship developed between an American fighter pilot, shot down and fighting with guerillas, and Ho Chi Minh, who was fighting the Japanese during World War II. Marlon, the former pilot-turned-PR-executive, is named ambassador to a small Southeast Asian nation modeled on Indochina. The reason he is appointed is because of his friendship with a populist leader there who the U.S. fears may be a Communist. Brando assures them the man is not one, but when he gets there he discovers the man is. Their friendship turns into mortal enmity, and America's largesse, goodwill and social conscience are thrown back at us by savage mobs roiled by Marxist ideology. The final scene shows a press conference detailing the crisis, with a businessman changing the channel on his TV to show American indifference to the world's crises. Considering what happened in Vietnam over the next years, it proved to be a real cautionary tale.

STEVEN TRAVERS
AUTHOR OF "BARRY BONDS: BASEBALL'S SUPERMAN"
[e-mail]

Rating:
Summary: Not quite what it seems...
Review: The Ugly American is one of those typical political dramas that falls short of what it hopes to accomplish. Marlon Brando plays Harrison Carter McWhite, an American ambassador sent to the fictional southeastern Asian country of Sarkhan, where a political uproar has begun over an American project. The project is the building of a road called Freedom Road, and the uproar is over the fact the natives of Sarkhan do not want it. Enter McWhite to solve the problem. And he brings a special talent to the table, he has been friends for years with the leader of the revolt, a revolutinary named Cheyung. Unfortunately much time has passed and it seems McWhite no longer has any influence over Cheyung. Tensions between them escalate, particullarly after McWhite discovers Cheyoung is in favor of a new communist government for Sarkhan. Then disaster strikes at the grand opening of Freedom Road. Cheyoung is responsible, but it is later discovered he is being used to start the revolt, only to be assasignated when it is through. And thus the picture ends shortly after with the events ensueing.

This movie failed to gain the simpathetic feeling refected by it's tone. The performances are on the whole pretty good, and Brando creates another interesting personality in McWhite. However, good acting does not make a good movie, as is the case here. George Englund's direction is poor and the film seems to hit and miss all over the place.

A decent film for Brando fans but seekers of political dramas will find this film does not deliver.

Rating:
Summary: Just Doesn't Deliver
Review: The Ugly American is one of those typical political dramas that falls short of what it hopes to accomplish. Marlon Brando plays Harrison Carter McWhite, an American ambassador sent to the fictional southeastern Asian country of Sarkhan, where a political uproar has begun over an American project. The project is the building of a road called Freedom Road, and the uproar is over the fact the natives of Sarkhan do not want it. Enter McWhite to solve the problem. And he brings a special talent to the table, he has been friends for years with the leader of the revolt, a revolutinary named Cheyung. Unfortunately much time has passed and it seems McWhite no longer has any influence over Cheyung. Tensions between them escalate, particullarly after McWhite discovers Cheyoung is in favor of a new communist government for Sarkhan. Then disaster strikes at the grand opening of Freedom Road. Cheyoung is responsible, but it is later discovered he is being used to start the revolt, only to be assasignated when it is through. And thus the picture ends shortly after with the events ensueing.

This movie failed to gain the simpathetic feeling refected by it's tone. The performances are on the whole pretty good, and Brando creates another interesting personality in McWhite. However, good acting does not make a good movie, as is the case here. George Englund's direction is poor and the film seems to hit and miss all over the place.

A decent film for Brando fans but seekers of political dramas will find this film does not deliver.

Rating:
Summary: Brando Loses The Cold War
Review: The Ugly American was an interesting film when it first came out in 1963 but it seems even more fascinating now when viewed with the benefit of historical hindsight. A political drama with slight thriller overtones that tells the story of an over-confident and somewhat reckless American ambassador appointed to a volatile Southeast Asian country, circa 1960. The ambassador was appointed on the strength of his friendship with a local opposition leader - a man of the people. But things have changed since they last met. Good intentions, political posturing, and a dash of naive stupidity combine to plunge the country into revolution - and open the door to the communists. Of course, the US must send in troops...

The Vietnam allegory is obvious and somewhat enlightening, and the film remains remarkably pertinent today. It tries to step back to be objective, but doesn't always succeed - which is a kind of blessing. The film's final scene illustrates the danger of public apathy.

As the ambassador, Marlon Brando has seldom been better. The rest of the cast is solid and all the more believable for being largely unknown. The script is taut and incisive, the direction straightforward and unobtrusive. I just saw this film again for the first time in many years and was surprised by how good it still is - the sort of film that engages the mind as well as the emotions.

Rating:
Summary: Brando does it again. Hard-hitting Cold War drama.
Review: This is a fine movie starring Marlon Brando and an excellent supporting cast. Marlon Brando stars as Ambassador McWhite to the fictional Southeast Asian nation of Sarkhan. Eiji Okada turns in a bravo performance as Cheyoung, a wartime comrade of McWhite's who is now a Sarkhanese national hero and who is opposed to American involvement with and presence in Sarkhan. The two men have good chemistry even as their goals are conflicted. Despite once being the closest of wartime friends, McWhite and Cheyoung now find themselves to be enemies.

This is obviously at least in part an allegory of American involvement in Vietnam and other Asian countries, a topic that was at the forefront of American politics when this movie was made. Nonetheless, after watching the film recently after not seeing it for about 25 years, I found that it had lost none of its impact or relevance. This is a very good film with a solid storyline, a relevant political message, and good acting. These all combine to make this film a fine and rewarding viewing experience.