Superb bit-of-everything cinema that treats you like an adult.

Rating: 9/10 (30 December 2003)

During WW2 a spy and the wife of a diplomat have a Middle Eastern affair that has far reaching consequences for themselves and all those around them.
If I was to defend the Oscar Academy it would be that it gives an impetus (through awards and nominations) to people to see "difficult" films that go beyond spending two hours out of the rain with your brain in neutral.
I have nothing against slick no-brain junk (there is good no-brain junk and bad no-brain junk) but cinema needs to be able to prove that it can, occasionally, produce depth, quality and meaning. You don't have to like the English Patient and you don't have to think it is an important film, but if you think Die Hard is a better film (and that is what the IMDB votes say!) then there can be no hope for cinema. Not as an important art form at least.
The image of this film is of a stiff romantic talk-piece (partly the fault of the promotion people) but it is not, lots happens and there is no time when you can predict what is going to happen next. This is a three hour movie because it needs three hours to tell the story and get inside the many characters.
I wouldn't suggest that this film is perfect. The bomb disposal scenes are pure cod drama and plenty is borrowed from other people's movies - Out of Africa and the general works of David Lean kept springing to mind. I have no idea whether Binoche (here playing a nurse) can really act, because I have never actually seen her do any. She is reduced to looking on with care or looking wide eyed with wonder, maybe that is enough for some people?

(Clearly it was for the Oscar people - she won the Best Supporting Actress award!)
Lead Fiennes manages to produce a performance of total paradox in managing to be both cold and romantic as well as conveying emotion through horrific burns make up. I am not so sure about the accent, but I am not sure what an Hungarian linguist sounds like when speaking English! Lover Kristin Scott-Thomas has less to do, but I loved her restraint: sexy and passionate while never throwing anything in your face.
The English Patient is one of those films you walk away from thinking "I didn't know they still made films like that", I hope that I can say it again some time soon, but I am not holding my breath.