The Ugly American

Why the Vietnam War happened

Based on influential 1958 American political novel, “The Ugly American” (1963) is a realistic film, a political drama/thriller featuring Marlon Brando as a new American diplomat in a Vietnam-like Southeast Asian nation that is painfully struggling between capitalist & communist factions. Eiji Okada plays the country's revolutionary leader, a previous best-friend of MacWhite (Brando) who may be brainwashed by the communists. The ending cleverly shows how the average American is unconcerned with the political conflicts of distant nations.

Produced and directed by Marlon’s best friend, George Englund, the film has its points of interest, like the political ruminations, Deong’s Asian homestead along the water and Kukrit Pramoj as Prime Minister Kwen Sai. Unfortunately, it’s too quaint and lacks the pizzazz of previous political-conflict movies, like “Lawrence of Arabia” (1962) and “The Bridge on the River Kwai” (1957). Brando does a serviceable job, but he’s curiously missing his usual charisma, probably because he didn’t contribute much to the story, like he did in his more captivating performances, e.g. “The Young Lions” (1958) and “One-Eyed Jacks” (1961).

The film runs 2 hours, 3 minutes, and was shot in Thailand.

GRADE: C+