Desolate as the Sahara

Rating: 6/10 (6 December 1999)

Alot has been written here representing the opposing points of view on this film, with the more pro and pedantic expounding on the more subtle and enigmatic details behind the
canvas of the story. Although I wasn't bored out of my skull while watching The English Patient, I will say most of the people who loved it and registered their comments here are perhaps of the type who feel cinema is trite unless emotionally isolated, performed by actors of the stage and produced in Europe. We saw this happen previously when Howard's End won all the awards for being a smartly acted, beautifully detailed, and ultimately yawn inspiring experience. The English Patient is much better, even entertaining in parts, but alas is nothing more than an expensive looking coffee table film everyone has to see and love when they fancy themselves intellectually enlightened in the matter of high brow entertainment. If you are not absolutely enamored with Ralph Fiennes and Kristin Scott-Thomas you will not care to hang on to their every word in order to explore the depth of their love affair. The most interesting character is the Nurse portrayed by Juliette Binoche, and it is through her screen time we find what meanings are more apparent, especially when she frees both her patient and herself from their respective physical and emotional tortures and leaves the monastery accepting of the risks and sacrifices love demands in order to know it. An immaculate and interesting film...but in the end too unwilling to let the audience in.