like music

Rating: 9/10 (2 January 2005)

the English patient is a bit slow, but when the film as a whole is taken into account, it's emotional pacing is wonderful. Either very carefully constructed or brilliantly edited, it hits in the right moments for those who have patience. Kind of like a symphony, where you have to sit through the contrasting slower background stuff to appreciate the good bits.
Binoche deserved her Oscar, if for nothing else, then her handling of fiennes' death scene.
it's a strange movie. the timing of the flashbacks seemed at first choppy and random, until the end of the movie, where it suddenly all falls into place and feels completely natural.
loved ralph fiennes, i have yet to be disappointed in any of his performances. kristen scott thomas underplays to perfection.
all in all....a wee bit overdone but for the most part subtle and very beautiful.