The English Patient (1996) — Page 2

I saw it once, and though the cinematography was beautiful, and the costumes breathtaking, I was one of the ones who couldn't wait for it to end. It has to do with connecting to the plot, as you've said, broadway 86, and I just couldn't do it. The love story seemed a little selfish to me, and it left me rather unsympathetic to their lives and the outcome.

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I, too, LOVED Adaptation and despised Gangs of New York. Far from Heaven wasn't my favorite film, but Julianne Moore just broke my heart. Her performance stayed with me for weeks. And the art direction and costume design were incredible!

Just posting more English Patient love...

Edited to add: Hmmmmmmmm...that 3rd photo won't come up. Let's try this one instead. =)

Updated On: 7/1/06 at 11:18 AM

THE ENGLISH PATIENT is PB ENT'S favorite film. She refers to it in every message she sends me.

Don't know why.

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I loved this movie. The passion, drama and heartbreak...so beautifully expressed. Sometimes it's all about savoring words and delicate nuance of actions/characterizations, rather than fast moving plots.

I loved the movie so much I read the book, which was infinitely more beautiful. My favorite quote in the movie and book:

"The heart is an organ of fire."

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

Don't you guys see, mainstream cinema has hit a brick wall and is no longer about originality or expression of anything new or different (was it ever?).

Movies are about making money. A movie will not be picked up by a mainstream production company unless it will appeal to the masses. Movies are written with the audience in mind, in this case the audience being everyday average joes who go to the movies to be "entertained". Mainstream movies are no longer about artistic expression (were they ever?).

Theater, on the other hand, is the one performance art that is still about fresh, new ideas. Theater, too, is written with the audience in mind. The theater audience is intelligent and likes to think. They go to the theater to think and learn, to be surprised by something new. A film writer can no longer write a screenplay that doesn't require the moviegoer to check their brain at the door.

Arguing about mainstream cinema is a lost cause. You're digging for something that is right there in front of you, on the surface. It's all about the surface. Anything that requires deep thinking and criticism will not be seen by the masses. It will be an independent film produced by a small company with less at stake who is willing to take more risks (i.e. Focus).

(By the way, what I said above has nothing to do with The English Patient. I was responding about whoever made the comment regarding the industry's loss of credibility.)

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Updated On: 7/2/06 at 01:48 PM