The Year of Living Dangerously (1982)

88% of critics liked it
(25 reviews)
73% of users liked it
(7,919 ratings)

Mel Gibson stars in this period political thriller directed by Peter Weir. Set in Indonesia during the 1965 coup against President Sukarno, the film stars Gibson as Guy Hamilton, an Australian wire-service reporter covering the scene. Whenever Hamilton becomes too glib or indifferent for his own… More Mel Gibson stars in this period political thriller directed by Peter Weir. Set in Indonesia during the 1965 coup against President Sukarno, the film stars Gibson as Guy Hamilton, an Australian wire-service reporter covering the scene. Whenever Hamilton becomes too glib or indifferent for his own good, he is brought back to earth by his "conscience," photographer Billy Kwan (played in male drag by diminutive actress Linda Hunt, who won an Academy Award for her performance). As all of Jakarta sinks into disarray, Hamilton pursues a romance with British attaché Jill Bryant (Sigourney Weaver). Filmed on location in the Philippines and Australia, the film was financed by MGM, in the first such American-Australian financial collaboration. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 54 min.
Directed By: Peter Weir
Genres: Drama

In Theaters: Jan 21, 1983 Wide
On DVD: Aug 27, 1997
Studio: MGM

Critic Reviews

Vincent Canby, New York Times
A good, romantic melodrama that suffers more than most good, romantic melodramas in not being much better than it is.
Wesley Lovell, Oscar Guy
A young Mel Gibson anchors a fascinating look at the life of a journalist looking for the great war-era news story.
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Combining political intrigue, steamy romance, and engaging characters, Peter Weir's well-crafted, highly enjoyable adventure is one of the few successful efforts to make a Casablanca-like movie for modern audiences.
Geoff Andrew, Time Out
A curiously languid affair, rather than the breathless Costa-Gavras-style thriller which was the least one might have expected from this kind of material.
Christopher Null, Filmcritic.com
The rest of the film hasn't aged nearly as well as Hunt's fun performance...
Steve Crum, Kansas City Kansan
Biting, tense Weir film--factually based
Lori Hoffman, Atlantic City Weekly
With director Peter Weir applying the lighter fluid, Mel Gibson and Sigourney Weaver ignite with a chemistry that goes ... into the realm of star quality
David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews
...a reasonably entertaining time-filler...
James Sanford, Kalamazoo Gazette
Outstanding political thriller -- and plenty hot, to boot

Read all 9 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Ken S

Good movie, great performances. Well worth watching if you're into a good of fashion political thriller with shades of romance and tragedy.
Tim S

Beautifully shot but the storyline is a bit unsatisfying. It is nice to see two powerhouse actors in the same film though.
Anthony L

The Year of Living Dangerously is easily Peter Weir's best film. It certainly got Hollywood's interest and propelled him into the A-list and rightly so, although I've liked very few of his films since. Linda Hunt steals the show, it's funny, I only realised she was… More
The Year of Living Dangerously is easily Peter Weir's best film. It certainly got Hollywood's interest and propelled him into the A-list and rightly so, although I've liked very few of his films since. Linda Hunt steals the show, it's funny, I only realised she was a woman a few year later! Brilliant filmmaking.
jay n

Intense, finely made film. Gibson is very good in this, made before he become a blowhearted parody of himself. Linda Hunt is great in her oscar winning part and sigourney weaver is fine as always in a less showy role.
xGary X

A typically beautifully shot Peter Weir film, this romance set to the backdrop of political upheaval in Indonesia is thoughtful, atmospheric and intelligent. When was the last time you could say that about a film starring Mel Gibson...?