Why do two people madly love each other? It is just sex? Thats it?

Rating: 2/10 (30 December 2008)

I am slightly surprised by the overwhelming positive reviews given to this movie. I understand that the cinematography is good, acting is decent and overall the movie is OK, but Oscar for best movie, even before Fargo? Please!
My main gripe is that it seems like a glorified one night stand. I am not criticizing this movie from a moral standpoint. I have no issues with people sleeping around. What bothers me most is that there was absolutely no effort by the director to develop the main characters of Ralph Fiennes (RF) and Kristin Scott Thomas (KST). RF is a wooden, dis- respectful loner and KST is a bored housewife. They spend a couple of days in desert and start sleeping around. I understand this. It can happen. But they are madly in love? Really? Why? What was it in RF's character that made KST's character to fall for him completely? Except many of those love scenes, I can't point a single instance where I felt that there was something happening between the two. It just felt that director was focusing so much on passion (read numerous one night - day - afternoon stands) that it seemed nonsensical.
The only slightly likable character is that of Juliet Binoche as Hanna. Her acting is good. But she has been underutilized. And even in her case, her affection for the Sikh soldier (Naveen Andrews) seems so made up and fake.
Why do two people fall in love with each other and remain in love till the end? If you think that the English Patient will give any answers then look elsewhere. Its a huge disappointment.