Caine tipped for Oscar

Michael Caine was today tipped for an Oscar for his starring role in controversial film The Quiet American.

The London-born actor has won rave reviews for his performance in the second big screen adaptation of 1955 Graham Greene novel about the US involvement in Vietnam, which includes depictions of American sponsored terrorism.

The New York Post said Caine was “superb” as a cynical English journalist in Saigon who is befriended by a naive US aid worker.

Time Magazine said his “subtle, bold performance should guarantee him an aisle seat on Oscar night,” while USA Today said he had generated “best actor talk.”

The best actor award is one of the few trophies that has eluded Caine in his 30-year career.

He has won two Oscars in a best supporting role – for The Cider House Rules and Hannah and Her Sisters.

For his part, Caine would not be drawn on his chances of success.

“I don’t like talking about the Oscars,” he said. “I always think it puts the muckers on it, as we say in England.”

The Quiet American opens in the US today. The original release date, a few months after the September 11 attacks, was pushed back because of the film’s criticism of American foreign policy.

It was nearly postponed again because the cynical take on US global intervention was deemed too sensitive as the country gears up for a war with Iraq.

Harvey Weinstein, head of Miramax films, was only persuaded to let it open after it was so well received at the Toronto Film Festival earlier this year.

He also said dissension among George Bush’s advisers on Iraq gave him the courage to go ahead with it.

“Prior to that there was no debate. This opened the way for The Quiet American.”