The Sympathizer

[Kaos]

The Sympathizer

Vietnam. 1970s.

From Hollywood, so of course we're supposed to relate to a double agent who's anti-American and working for the communists. That's our lead character. He's infiltrated the South Vietnamese leadership and brings his double-crossing ways to the US where he continues to spy for the Viet Cong. That's our hero.

Sandra Oh, whose face has gone puffy but seemingly has a pretty decent body, becomes the commie's love interest.

So far as I can see, this is mostly a vehicle for Robert Downey Junior to sport some pretty amazing makeup and play multiple roles. Characters like a shady CIA agent who looks a lot like James Caan, a flamboyantly, fruitily gay professor of Oriental Studies at some obscure California college, a stereotyped 70s film director, and a Bob Dole-ish Vietnam War veteran turned politician (crippled hand and all). In the third episode, all four of these oddball characters end up at the same table. It's weird.

I'm having trouble generating any sympathy for an America-hating communist spy.  Also kind of disgusted that this is the protagonist Hollywood gives us. The VC tortured and mutilated our soldiers. Their treatment was inhumane and barbaric. This guy should be the enemy, being hunted down.

I have a problem with the premise of this series, Downey's pretty amazing makeup (and performances) aside.

[CCTAU]

The Sympathizer

Vietnam. 1970s.

From Hollywood, so of course we're supposed to relate to a double agent who's anti-American and working for the communists. That's our lead character. He's infiltrated the South Vietnamese leadership and brings his double-crossing ways to the US where he continues to spy for the Viet Cong. That's our hero.

Sandra Oh, whose face has gone puffy but seemingly has a pretty decent body, becomes the commie's love interest.

So far as I can see, this is mostly a vehicle for Robert Downey Junior to sport some pretty amazing makeup and play multiple roles. Characters like a shady CIA agent who looks a lot like James Caan, a flamboyantly, fruitily gay professor of Oriental Studies at some obscure California college, a stereotyped 70s film director, and a Bob Dole-ish Vietnam War veteran turned politician (crippled hand and all). In the third episode, all four of these oddball characters end up at the same table. It's weird.

I'm having trouble generating any sympathy for an America-hating communist spy.  Also kind of disgusted that this is the protagonist Hollywood gives us. The VC tortured and mutilated our soldiers. Their treatment was inhumane and barbaric. This guy should be the enemy, being hunted down.

I have a problem with the premise of this series, Downey's pretty amazing makeup (and performances) aside.

I thought this was movie about songbird McCain after reading your first few lines....

[GH2001]

I thought this was movie about songbird McCain after reading your first few lines....

Vietnam, Double Agent, sold out his own guys, anti American.....yep, sounds about right.