Due to explosive critic appraisal and nominations for several Oscars, the film has been re-released for the public to catch on. The novel has won the Booker award, and with the current hype surrounding the film, the book has returned to the top of The New York Times best seller list for the past several weeks. And the hype is warranted. Ralph Fiennes stars as a British Egyptologist who is badly burned during World War II and, during his hospitalization, recalls his relationship with a loved one in the past. Both compliment the cast wonderfully.
Strong casting is one of the most effective aspects of the film.
In fact, there are few factors that aren't effective. There is also an uncommonly strong sense of character depth. Each character is virtually a plot in itself. Most films don't even touch upon this balance or range of elements. Every once in a while, a film like this comes along to remind us of what other films should aspire to be.