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The English Patient (1996)

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#1

The English Patient (1996)

Posted: 6/29/06 at 10:00pm

Although it is consistently - and inexplicably - considered one of the worst Best Picture winners (not to mention a classic "Seinfeld" reference), watching The English Patient several days ago reminded me why I love movies in the first place.

I believe that Anthony Minghella is as close to David Lean as we will get in a long time. Even in The Talented Mr. Ripley and the lesser Cold Mountain, he seamlessly blends haunting imagery, beautiful music, stellar performances, and strong writing in a way that we rarely see anymore.

In my opinion, The English Patient is very long and demands patience, but is also intelligent, gorgeous, romantic, and passionate. And, despite popular belief, it doesn't drag. Ralph Fiennes and Kristin Scott Thomas are both really incredible, and - for the first time in a long while - I saw a romance that I believed in and found myself fully invested in. Binoche is also great, in an Oscar-winning performance, giving the character of Hana with a tortured past and a determined soul.

Just had to get that out. What do you guys think of this movie?

Updated On: 6/29/06 at 10:00 PM

#2

re: The English Patient (1996)

Posted: 6/29/06 at 10:35pm

"Just tell your stupid story about the stupid desert and just die already, die!" hehe sorry I just had to quote one of my fave Seinfeld eps. I actually loved this movie. I think Anthony Minghella is a genius and after watching it I became a huge Kristin Scott Thomas fan. She was perfect in the role and not to mention very beautiful. The entire cast was excellent, Ralph Fiennes and Juliette Binoche were brilliant. The cinematography was just stunning to see. I completely agree with you that it is long and you have to have patience while watching it.
"Elaine, I hope you're watching the clothes because I can't take my eyes off the passion!"

#3

re: The English Patient (1996)

Posted: 6/29/06 at 10:50pm

I fell asleep 4 times and gave up...ugh

It is ridiculous to set a detective story in New York City. New York City is itself a detective story... AGATHA CHRISTIE, Life magazine, May 14, 1956

#4

re: The English Patient (1996)

Posted: 6/29/06 at 10:55pm

I actually haven't seen this but the reason why it is considered one of the worst Best Picture winners is because it won over the far-more beloved FARGO.

#5

re: The English Patient (1996)

Posted: 6/29/06 at 11:07pm

I think you're right. I love Fargo, but I think this movie gives it a considerable run for its money. One is more original, one is more accomlished. On the other hand, many BP winners aren't fondly remembered.

Updated On: 6/29/06 at 11:07 PM

#6

re: The English Patient (1996)

Posted: 6/29/06 at 11:17pm

The book was better.

The film stole Kip's character of singing, as the Sikh, and gave it to the English Patient, which was wrong.

Updated On: 6/29/06 at 11:17 PM

#7

re: The English Patient (1996)

Posted: 6/29/06 at 11:24pm

Yeah, the year they gave the best picture award to Chicago (When, in fact, it should have went to ADAPTATION.) was a blunder beyond all blunders and shot their credibility to hell.

#8

re: The English Patient (1996)

Posted: 6/29/06 at 11:31pm

I hate it; but you're right about the David Lean reference. I hate all his films, as well.

#9

re: The English Patient (1996)

Posted: 6/29/06 at 11:41pm

I had to see it for my freshman seminar and hated it. Then had to write a paper on it and basically watch it 3 more times. Still don;t like it.

<--- the set of A Midsummer Night's Dream that I was assistant stage manager for during the 2007 season at the STNJ outdoor stage.

-Dre- You must remember all the same that at the crux of every game is knowing when it's time to leave the table... And it's important to be artful in your exit. No turning back, you must accept the con is done... It was a ball, it was a blast. And it's a shame it couldn't last. But every chapter has to end, you must agree.
~Dirty Rotten Scoundrels~
There's a special kind of people known as show people. We live in a world full of dreams. Sometimes we're not too certain what's false and what's real. But we're seldom in doubt about what we feel.
~Curtains~
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#10

re: The English Patient (1996)

Posted: 6/29/06 at 11:44pm

Interesting. Certainly not a movie for everyone. I honestly don't see what's boring about it, but I can understand that having to watch a three hour epic for class is a turnoff.

Sandwich-
Their credibility was questioned way before that. It seems to me that the term "Oscar-worthy" has lost its meaning. :)

Updated On: 6/29/06 at 11:44 PM

#11

re: The English Patient (1996)

Posted: 6/30/06 at 2:45am

I have no problem with epics - as long as they have a point.

Sitting in a theatre watching this, I suddenly understood why some people during the EXORCIST rushed the screen with a knife and started slashing away.

One of the most horrifically boring and excruciating movie experiences I've ever had. But I'm happy for those who enjoyed it.

But even happier that nothing can make me suffer through it again.

Updated On: 6/30/06 at 02:45 AM

#12

re: The English Patient (1996)

Posted: 6/30/06 at 2:50am

THE ENGLISH PATIENT was a pretentious bore, in my opinion. I also fell asleep. Don't get me wrong, I love sandy epics (one of my favorite films is LAWRENCE OF ARABIA) but this movie just went on and on about nothing, it seemed.

Salve, Regina, Mater misericordiae
Vita, dulcedo, et spes nostra
Salve, Salve Regina
Ad te clamamus exsules filii Eva
Ad te suspiramus, gementes et flentes
O clemens O pia

Updated On: 6/30/06 at 02:50 AM

#13

re: The English Patient (1996)

Posted: 6/30/06 at 7:29am

Wait a minute. I was under the impression that the movie did have a point. Pretentious? How?

#14

re: The English Patient (1996)

Posted: 6/30/06 at 8:30am

I thought it was long, but the ending was very moving. Plus, I love Juliet Binoche and Ralph Fiennes, who were both great in this, in my opinion. I think far worse pictures have been given the best picture award ("Cavalcade" anyone?) and overall, I believe that the second half moved better than the first. One thing i don't like, is it sems that they should have more connected Juliet's part and Ralph's. Thinking back on it now, it almost seems like two separate movies. Other than that, it had many beautiful moments, if drawn out at times.
And I agree with broadway86, I don't think it was pretentious at all.

~And let us try, before we die, to make some sense of life~

#15

re: The English Patient (1996)

Posted: 6/30/06 at 8:57am

"One of the most horrificly boring and excruciating movie experiences I've ever had. But I'm happy for those who enjoyed it. "

I couldn't agree more. Maybe I should try it again, to see if I like it any better......but, then again.....maybe not.

#16

re: The English Patient (1996)

Posted: 6/30/06 at 9:11am

"I want to see Dabney Coleman's Sack Lunch!" -- Elaine Benes

I've never seen The English Patient, actually. I guess I should rent it.

#17

re: The English Patient (1996)

Posted: 6/30/06 at 9:33am

broadway86---I actually haven't seen this movie in years, but thanks to your assessment of it, I now want to revisit it.

I do remember liking it a lot more than most of my friends, back when it came out.

We used to joke that the title said it all:

It's in ENGLISH, and you have to be very, very PATIENT.

I seem to remember it being much more than that (all joking aside), and now thanks to you, I think I'll check it out again!

"Jaws is the Citizen Kane of movies."

blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22

#18

re: The English Patient (1996)

Posted: 6/30/06 at 11:05am

I absolutely hated it.

ADAPTATION for best picture over CHICAGO, THE HOURS, or GANGS OF NEW YORK? I hope you're not serious.

"If you are going to do something, do it well. And leave something witchy." -Charlie Manson

#19

re: The English Patient (1996)

Posted: 6/30/06 at 11:19am

Personally, I adored THE ENGLISH PATIENT and watch it regularly. I find it to be a beautifully rendered love stories, with a string of very fine performances. Juliette Binoche deserved her Oscar, and I'm glad she won.

#20

re: The English Patient (1996)

Posted: 6/30/06 at 11:21am

I think it's a fine film with brilliant performances - deserving of all of it's accolades. The direction is marvelous, cinematography breathtaking, score beautiful, etc. etc. etc. There is nothing wrong with it as a film - it is a beautiful, epic love story.

I just personally did not find it very interesting or intriguing. It left me bored to tears - which is unusual because, generally, it seemed like something that would be right up my alley.

"If you are going to do something, do it well. And leave something witchy." -Charlie Manson

#21

re: The English Patient (1996)

Posted: 6/30/06 at 12:10pm

When the movie came out, I totally felt like Elaine from Seinfeld... the only person in the world who didn't like it. Almost everyone liked it back then, and when you said you didn't they looked at you like a horse with two heads.

I did like the Juliette Binoche characted, but they could make a 2 hour movie of Juliette Binoche sleeping and I would enjoy it. I personally found the film long, boring, the characters had no redeeming qualities - the guy is a traitor, to his country and his friend, HELLO!

Anyway, that was just MY opinion.

Celebrate Life

Experience is what you get when you didn't get what you wanted. - Randy Pausch

#22

re: The English Patient (1996)

Posted: 6/30/06 at 1:13pm

It's been a while since I saw it (as I said earlier), but I recall being very taken with Juliette Binoche's character and her performance. I was pretty bored by the leads and their storyline until the last 20 minutes (which is like NINE DAYS into the movie). But I remember the last 20-30 minutes being very emotionally charged and it left me feeling much better about the film as the credits rolled than I felt halfway through it... if that makes sense.

It went out with a punch and swept me (and a few Academy voters) away. Other than that final segment, and Juliette's fascinating character, I don't think I loved it all that much.

...But now I want to see it again, and reevaluate!

"Jaws is the Citizen Kane of movies."

blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22

#23

re: The English Patient (1996)

Posted: 6/30/06 at 1:15pm

I think I'll check it out when I can, too. I guess I should after all of these years!

#24

re: The English Patient (1996)

Posted: 6/30/06 at 1:20pm

I remember watching it once because my friend and I found out Colin Firth was in it. I don't think I liked it all that much. But that was when I was in high school, at least 7 or eight years ago, and my tastes have changed quite a bit since then.

I will definitely add it to my NetFlix queue.

You promised me poems. ~Tricky

Updated On: 6/30/06 at 01:20 PM

#25

re: The English Patient (1996)

Posted: 6/30/06 at 4:34pm

broadway86---I actually haven't seen this movie in years, but thanks to your assessment of it, I now want to revisit it.

Thanks, bars. To anyone else who feels inclined to see it a second time: Give it a try. I saw it several years ago, and had to turn it off. Seeing it again was one of the greatest moviewatching experiences I've had in years, similar to what I felt while seeing Brokeback Mountain.

And I agree with broadway86, I don't think it was pretentious at all.

Thanks, hannah. There is a difference between a movie being pretentious, and a person simply not connecting with the plot.

Another thing... from what I recall of seeing the film several years ago, I didn't think that Fiennes and Thomas had any chemistry whatsoever. Watching it again, I was stunned by just how intense the romance side of the story was. The scene during the sandstorm, or at the dinner party, etc. As I said before, I believed in this love story more than many of the others I've seen. And I found the payoff, during the last 20 minutes, to be devastating.

Updated On: 6/30/06 at 04:34 PM

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