Bold, Masterful Epic!

Rating: 9/10 (27 March 2014)

The English Patient is a tale of doomed love and one that brings Lawrence of Arabia and Doctor Zhivago to mind. Director Anthony Mingella must have drawn inspiration from David Lean because there are so many Lean-like features in the film including an exact eye for detail. This is a sweeping and ambitious film that any lover of film will enjoy. It may be a tad too long and perhaps saccharine at certain points, but this film screams epic at you.
Minghella's film starts off during the end of World War Two and after a plane crashes, this nurse named Hana cares for the mortally wounded Count Almasy who tells his story. While in Egypt, he falls in love with this woman named Katharine Clifton who is not happy with her husband. These two begin an affair which may lead to some harsh consequences.
This film is well-acted and has some career-best performances worth of many accolades. Ralph Fiennes is essentially playing two people in one body and while not a career-best, it ranks up there in his top-five performances. Juliette Binoche is very good as Hana whom the war has taken a toll on. Kristen Scott Thomas does a good job at seducing the Count. Also, I must mention Willem Dafoe because he does a good job as the guy who is out to seek revenge against the Count.
Overall, The English Patient is an ambitious project that is just a step away from perfection. I thought at times the romance wasn't as credible and seemed a little fake. But other than that, this film soars high. it has many stunning sequences, including the sandstorm scene. A very masterful film both technically and story-wise. A very David Lean-like film and that is a compliment. I rate this film 9/10.