Perfection

Rating: 10/10 (23 May 2015)

A grand, sweeping romance with more than a passing nod to the great epics like Lawrence of Arabia and Dr Zhivago, this is without doubt one of the best films of all time and deserved every one of it's 9 Oscars plus numerous other awards.
At the core of this film is the doomed love affair between Almasy and Katharine. Their relationship is totally believable, the dashingly handsome Fiennes and the luminously beautiful Kristen Scott Thomas have great on screen chemistry, perfectly conveying the exquisite pain and passion of falling in love with the wrong person. The sex scenes stay on the right side of erotic desire rather than the gratuitous groping which unfortunately tends to be the default position for movies nowadays.
The acting is universally excellent and the casting is flawless with everyone perfectly suited to their roles. Dafoe is a fine actor who has made some dire movies, but his role as David Caravaggio suits him perfectly. Colin Firth gives an understated and poignant performance as the slightly bumbling but desperately nice husband. Juliette Binoche, believable in every part she plays, gives a charmingly earthy performance as the caring nurse.
Wonderful cinematography produces a picture perfect backdrop bathed in a golden glow - the desert scenes in particular are a visual feast. Even the music is perfect.
It's rare for me to watch a film more than once - I've seen this one at least twenty times. I never tire of it and get something new from it every time I watch it.