Beautiful photography, great performances

Rating: Null/10 (8 January 2002)

Anthony Minghella's adaption of Michael Ondaatje's book scooped a hatful of Oscars in 1997 and attracted criticism for being `Oscar-friendly' and `conventional'. However, when film-making is as elegant and beautiful as this it is hard to argue.
All the performances are terrific but the stand-out is Fiennes' cold leading man driven to extraordinary lengths by his passion for Kristin Scott-Thomas. I found Minghella's narrative more cohesive than the book, but if it misses out anywhere, it is in the book's brilliant insights into the psyche of a bomb-defuser, which isn't really explored in the film.
Overall a rewarding watch for the discerning film fan. 8/10.