User reviews

Along Southern California's coast, midway between Los Angeles and San Diego, sprawls Camp Pendelton, home to about 50,000 U.S. Marines. Less than an hour's drive to the north, not far from Disneyland, is a Vietnamese enclave of about 200,000 without political boundaries which the road signs call "Little Saigon". "Green Dragon" peers into the lives of a handful of Vietnamese who, in 1975 during the fall of Saigon, occupied a refugee camp at Camp Pendelton and went on to be assimilated into American society and establish communities such as "Little Saigon".

Part history lesson and part drama, "Green Dragon" is sensitive look at a people in flux agonizing over their expatriation and fragmentation while coming to grips with an uncertain future. The film is a somewhat uneven and austere hodgepodge with the look of a low budget indie. However, what it lacks in embellishments it makes up for in nobility of purpose and should be appreciated by those with a special interest in the time and the people involved. (C)

This movie seems to be experiences of various Vietnamese people during the stay in the refugee camp. It has been sentimentalized, casting it as some sort of good old memories. Plus it seems most of the people who made it out are the ones, by whatever circumstances, either having power, connection, money or being in the armed forces. So we get a view biased toward the well to do who favored what we did for them.

The many little stories intertwined together gives an overall concern that most of the Vietnamese had when they first arrived, with a few like the Camp manager/Patrick Swayze character and Kid/Forest Whitaker character thrown in to reflect American's own remorse and problems.

I found that some of the subjects covered to be a bit abrupt, since many of the characters were not introduced, instead were thrown into the action. Like the man with two wives, and the husband and wife with the pictures of their son, who were dragged out of their beds in the middle of the night. Seeing the deleted scenes on the DVD made the characters more rounded and their situations more understanding, allowing us to connect with them better.

Many of the more important subjects seems to be lightly touched upon, and the whole American issue seem to play us out as the savior, as opposed to the aggressor. Even the radio reporting of seem to play to the fear of the well to do Vietnamese since they were the ones being preyed upon during the fall of Saigon, which is not unusual in situations where the oppressed overtakes a imperialist backed government.

Most of the acting were very humanistic, but I found Patrick Swayze a bit too apathetic, never allowing us to believe that he is filled with guilt. A big part is probably his natural facial expression, which does not gear toward the sorrow look.

All in all, still a good movie to see so that we would know what the people experienced when they first came to the US. A little less mush and a little more on the heavy or more controversial topics would have been welcomed.

This film went beyond anything I had ever expected it to be. The acting was incredible, the scenes were moving and the characters memorable and beautiful. I was so happy to see Patrick Swayze back and looking good and of course Forest Whitaker was fabulous. His relationship with the young Mihn was touching. Please, go rent this movie; you won't regret it.

10/10*

I recently viewed The Green Dragon (2001) on Tubi. The storyline revolves around Vietnamese refugees arriving in America towards the end of the Vietnam War. As the war's conclusion nears, the film depicts a significant transition for the immigrants, with a few American soldiers striving to facilitate a smooth adjustment.

Directed by Timothy Linh Bui (Powder Blue), the film features Patrick Swayze (Dirty Dancing), Forest Whitaker (Rogue One), Duong Don (We Were Soldiers), Hiep Thi Le (Cruel Intentions), and Billinjer C. Tran (We Were Soldiers).

This movie offers a unique and authentic storyline, with well-written subplots that unfold fascinatingly. The acting is solid, with Swayze's character feeling realistic and Whitaker delivering a relatable performance. The portrayal of how the Vietnamese grapple with the tension between their future and past, navigating necessary adjustments, is both believable and compelling. The film concludes with a mix of sadness and enlightenment.

In conclusion, while not reaching outstanding heights, The Green Dragon presents a storyline that merits your time. I would give it a score of 6/10 and recommend watching it once.

Such a moment in history can certainly provide for an enormous amount of dramatic stories on individuals and families; nevertheless I feel like the production failed to leverage on it.

Instead, the movie feels like a set of patched-up moments. At some point it looks like the scenes were put together only to 'touch' the audience, you know, any director would know that certain scenarios/situations would make the audience sigh or smile like the music scene where Whitaker and the kid paint to the sound of music; or the ones that show Tuc and his girlfriend falling in love.

Dong and Whitaker's acting keep the movie going; Swayze's character (although never thought of him as a good actor) was kind of useless and was given just a set of troubled sentiments and memories to play with.

The intent of the film was good, however, the execution lacked the emotional punch that could have resulted from the storyline. We've seen the subplots before: the angry officer sympathizes with the foreigners, the big misfit befriends a young boy, the rebel in the crowd shouting out against the system..etc.

This is a quiet film and while not that bad, it didn't seem to capture the elements of "camp life" well enough to give me a sense of the refugee's fear of leaving the safe camp and starting a new life in America. There were moments in the film that had potential, but overall, it seemed a dull cinematic experience.

Not much happens in this movie. Go see "Heaven and Earth" instead.

I honestly do not understand why this movie is getting the kind of reviews it is getting.

The acting was brilliant in all fields, I found the little boy who play Minh's character amazing, especially for that age.

Very touched by the stories of every individual just because they where in a camp away from all the war doesn't mean the war is not there(including Swayze's and Whitaker's charterers of course). I found that the story to bring out a different part of the Vietnam war that is constantly looked over, well every war for that matter.

Strictly a movie that is about people life story. I keep seeing reviews how they felt it was an "Anti-American" film because of a few scenes... Honestly the movie about the emotions of the people who is not in their home country that is being torn up from their own people, and their only way out is to live in a camp that is completely foreign. Try to comprehend that.

This is a very good movie and it is worth a watch.

The sanctification of U.S. soldiers in this movie goes far beyond oversentimantalism, to the realm of fantasy and even absurdity. I was really sickened by this movie and did not finish watching in spite of the fact that at times the acting was quite good, excelent even, especially from the children, Forest, and some of the adult Vietnamese cast.

But the manner in which this movie attempts to hammer-down U.S. apologism for the war is so blatant, so unrealistic, and in this sense insidious.

Sure the films attempts to have us empathize with Vietnamese (for a change), that's very rare for U.S. Vietnam war films, infitesimally so. But, of course, these are the pro-U.S. Vietnamese, so the unspeakably gentle Americans can be presented in an entirely positive way. Their only shortcoming is that they were not able to win. But the millions of Vietnamese who died for their National Liberation (as I said in another review, Ho Chi Minh was their George Washington -- out of 40 million Vietnamese very few chose not to fight for the -only-, yes only, National Liberation movement which fought against both the French & the U.S. all the same).

Of course, this movie would like us to forget these realities at all costs because it has a hidden agenda. One would never know about these dynamics from the movie. The gross and unrealistic santification also extends to a South Vietnamese General, for example. And that was it for me. I couldn't go on with it. I got the point: the U.S. and the tiny so-called "South Vietnamese" forces were good, the NVA and the rest of Vietnam bad. Now let's paint some cute pictures. Revolting and condescending. This movie is for Americans only, but not all Americans (see I don't have such a low perception of the American population, not all of them would so thoughtlessly buy into this sel-findulgent tripe). If you're an American whose education consists strictly on spoon-fed government propaganda and Holywood as a scholarly authority, you will like this movie, go for it I guess. But any other American with a dose of citical thought would feel the same way I do, I'm sure.

In closing, this movie is intended for (though not recommended to anyone) the not-too-bright oversentimental without-a-dose of a history-lesson or critical thought Americans.

It is to be AVOIDED AT ALL COSTS, however, by anyone who is:

An American with half-a-brain.

Anyone else from Earth, and especially from Vietnam.

------------ Post Script: ------------

Funny, they mention the genocidal regime known as Khmer Rouse (sp.) in Cambodia, but it is said in passing so as to juxtapose it to the evil Vietnamese. Except it was the Vietnamese Communist forces who in 1979 invaded Cambodia and physically ousted the Khmer Rouse from power, ending the latter's genocide of 4 million Cambodians. So, for those of you who thought this movie was good, realistic, and without hidden patriotic agendas, I hope the Irony is not lost on you. But I fear it will.

1/10

I honestly cannot express how much the movie moved me. I was an emotional wreck at the end of the movie, and that is saying a lot for an old jarhead. Without being an expert or having lived through the turmoil of the time time and place, I can only guess that the movie did a fine job touching on many if not most of the challenges, pressures, and sources of depression that came with being a Vietnamese refugee.

Engrossing depiction of the many trials and sorrows of the 1970's Vietnamese reufugees. Forest Whitaker gives a telling performance as a cook who bonds with a Vietnamese boy.

I would recommend this movie to anyone who would like an accurate perspective of the South Vietnamese people. Unlike the previous critic, I will leave any misinformed politics aside. Although the war was highly political, and the movie does comment on the war, the film is not based on any political agenda like the previous critic leads you to believe. Instead, I believe the movie's focus is on the human stories of people struggling to forge a new life after their country was taken away from them. What is refreshing and what gives the movie credibility is that the director and most of the actors are Vietnamese, many of whom went through similar experiences as depicted in the movie after the war. In that sense, the movie is real, not just some form of propaganda "intended for the not-too-bright oversentimental without-a-dose of a history-lesson or critical thought Americans." It is a movie for Americans, Vietnamese immigrants such as myself, and people who dare regard the United States as the great and imperfect hope that it is.

'Green Dragon' is a low cost but well made movie. It is about going through the hardship of life. There is hope no matter how dissapointing our life is. Anybody who felt their life worthless should watch this film.

The songs and music are very good also.

8/10

I had the great fortune of seeing this film at The Sundance Film Festival. It was worth the trip just to see this film and hear the director speak of his very personal film. He and his brother have created a world that reminds us of the fragility and strength of the human spirit in a sometimes very cruel world. Within the crevices, he shows us a beauty and humanity that I believe exists in everyone. enjoy this film. It is truly a gift.

Green Dragon was absolutely amazing. I found it to be very realistic in portraying what it would be like back when the Vietnamese people had to live in the refugee camps.

This film is very touching as well. I loved the relationship between Minh and Addie who is played by Forrest Whitaker. The character Minh is a little boy who is forced to come to America with his uncle and his sister. He is constantly searching the camp for his mother and father. While this is going on, he develops a friendship with Addie. Addie is a cook and a talented artist. Minh and Addie bond because they both like to draw and love comics.

I also liked the other parts of the story as well. Tai's character was great. He plays the camp manager and keeper of the peace. He has to deal with Minh's mother and father not being there and how he had to leave without them.

There are other cool little stories mixed in, but you should watch it for yourself and find out. This really is a very moving film, and it should not be missed.

9/10

This story is about tragedy and the uprooting of whole societies. This specific story is a telling of Vietnam, but it could be transferred to many other moments in history. When a people have their whole lives destroyed by war, then how do you start over? We see the various forms that emotions can go through, and how each individual deals with them. Even when everything is gone, you end up with choices. How you handle the worst of times, can determine how you live out the rest of your life. There is not a right answer in most cases, but you have to find a way to continue.

Patrick and Forest are only extras in this movie. They help create the set up for the refugees, who must find a way to begin again. Some want to go back, which is almost impossible as life can never be the same after war. The continual theme throughout this movie is a longing for peace. Emotions are stretched to the end as people search for loved ones, and search for meaning. There is always hope when looking to the future, but the devastation of loss will never be forgotten.

It is a very good telling of how wars affect the survivors. The headlines are written down in the history books, but life is continued on a personal level. It is hard to imagine what it would be like to actually survive, and yet it has happened so many times in the conflicts between cultures.

This is a great story told by patient and skilled filmmakers. Tim Bui and his brother Tony Bui ('Three Seasons') know how to make a touching film come alive with great characters and performances. I saw it at Sundance and felt that the performances by Forrest Whitaker and Hiep Thi Lee, and Vietnamese Actor Dong would warrant real attention at least with the Independent Spirit Awards.

This is an absolutely beautiful and touching movie dealing with a very painful time in history. Great acting, wonderful script, fantastic little details--a near perfect film. I just hope it can find its way to more screens.

A truly great film that can only be fully appreciated by people who lived through such times. Self-hating Americans will despise the film for its (mostly) pro-American sentiments. The movie offers a brief critique of American foreign policy during the Vietnam War, but that's not what it's ultimately about. It's about loss and family and faith, and that's all there is to it. The most haunting image to me is the woman who refuses to leave the camp even after she's found a sponsor, fearing what is waiting for her outside. The soldiers have to drag her out by force because she's so terrified. IT's sequences like that that comes from personal experience and can't be fabricated. The filmmakers probably lived through this themselves (I don't know, I don't know them or know their background) to be able to write/direct such a moving film. Sure, it's sentimental, but so what? People who dislike this movie because it's somehow TOO sentimental needs to call the cops because they lost their heart and soul somewhere along the way.

Bought this this on DVD was impressed. Forrest Whittaker is an awesome talent. Thank you for keeping on keeping on.

The Green Dragon is not particularly a story of the Vietnam war but of the refugees of every war: Their fear for themselves, their missing family members and friends, and their fear of the unknown culture they are being thrust into. Their hopes and their dreams, also. The story itself is about the easy interaction between the little boy who is looking for his lost mother and the black American cook, and the uneasy interaction between the adults of both nations. The Vietnamese characters are very real in their humanity - good, bad, young, old. The film introduces certain aspects of Vietnamese culture (polygamy - filial devotion) that few Americans are acquainted with. It should be noted that the main Vietnamese actor, Don Duong, upon his return to Vietnam was put under house arrest for 6 months for "embarrassing the Vietnamese people".

Only a snapshot of what the Vietnamese went through, but given the current immigrant situation a poignant film. Swayze and Whitaker play relatively small parts. A feel good movie and makes you think about where these people are now.

A must see film in my opinion. The Asian people have definitely suffered much as it shows in this film and many other films and documentaries. The Asian people do endure though as the Second Wife says in this film(which she's absolutely stunning to look at by the way). Patrick Swazye holds his own with some good acting and to prove even more that he was a very good actor, and very much an icon with his magnificent presence.

The three that really steal the movie though are Duong Don who plays the Uncle and then Forest Whitaker as the Cook and Trung Nguyen as little Minh. Whitaker and Minh steal the movie with every scene they are in together, and a pre-showcase at showing what a fantastic actor Forest Whitaker is as he's being recognized for his acting now. Lot's of different story lines going on, and all very true to the people, circumstance, culture and time. See this film for it's everything that it is.