Writer/Director: Anthony Minghella
Starring: Ralph Fiennes, Kristin Scott Thomas and Willem Dafoe
‘A Meaningful Masterpiece’
Not many actresses in Hollywood have made movies which are as precious as Kristin Scott Thomas. Since her rise to stardom during the 1990’s, Thomas has become a beloved British icon. Whether it’s mothers of famous singers, aristocratic housekeepers or political figures, Thomas has crafted many strong characters. Arguably, Thomas’ strength as an actress is her commitment. She has always been one of those actresses that has poured her heart and soul into every role. Thomas has seldom been afraid of taking risks in her career by playing complex women which aren’t always likeable. An actress with strong commitment towards her craft, Thomas has become a beloved icon in entertainment. A British icon, Thomas has become a beloved actress whose memorable movies audiences cherish. Through her ability to create characters that audiences relate to, Thomas has become an actress whose films audiences value. Throughout her prosperous career, Thomas has made many unforgettable movies which are definitely worth taking about without a doubt.
I’m a massive fan of Thomas and adore all the movies she has made in her career. However, “The English Patient” is definitely my favourite. Released in 1996, Anthony Minghella’s movie offered a beautiful adaptation of a celebrated book about World War II. Packed with fantastic production design, engaging storytelling and strong acting, it’s one of the best period films ever made. At the centre of it all is a powerful performance by Kristin Scott Thomas, playing a woman that falls in love with a WWII soldier that faces disaster. Ultimately, what makes “The English Patient” a masterpiece is strong appeal. Unlike most movies about WWII, the movie tackles strong themes everyone would relate to. It delivers a strong message about sacrifices of warfare which would definitely strike chord among everyone. A breathtaking masterpiece about doomed romance, there are many strong reasons why “The English Patient” is a movie which is definitely worth seeing.
Set in 1930’s Europe, “The English Patient” tells the story of a war soldier that has big goals to accomplish. Ralph Fiennes portrays Almasy, a tormented war soldier suffering from a severe injury. Cared for by his responsible nurse Hana (Juliette Binoche), Almasy recounts memories of his past love from a past era. Before he was injured in a tragic accident, Almasy was once in love with a woman that gave him a clearer life direction. Katharine Clifton (Kristin Scott Thomas) is a beautiful woman which takes a strong liking to Almasy. As the pair fall madly in love, they begin to discover the consequences of their relationship. Their secret affair comes to a sudden close when Almasy is injured in an accident which causes despair. Faced with a dilemma, Almasy wonders whether he would ever overcome the war which causes trauma. Facing consequences of warfare that’s frightening, Almasy is left wondering whether his dreams of love are worth achieving.
Anthony Minghella is fascinated with doomed love stories. Before he directed “The English Patient”, Minghella was well-known for making movies about doomed love affairs. His iconic movie “Truly Madly Deeply” captures the life of a woman haunted by ghosts of her lover that cause tragedies. With “The English Patient”, however, the filmmaker creates his first ever literature adaptation. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to adapt a legendary book about doomed romance in WWII, but he succeeded. Using spellbinding cinematography, Minghella captures a doomed life affair destined to face tragedy. Evoking James Cameron’s “Titanic”, Minghella effectively uses closeups to capture a doomed romance that’s tragic. For instance, closeups enhance the ballroom dance scene. During this unforgettable scene, Count Almasy and Katharine has a dance in a ballroom that causes tension. Through closeups, Minghella creates a compelling romance that audiences can easily relate to. Closeups are tricky to use in films. As Steven Spielberg’s “The Schindler’s List” suggested, closeups elevate films about the Holocaust. Nevertheless, it works well in this movie. Using stunning visuals, Minghella captures the hardships that soldiers in WWII are facing.
Another astonishing aspect of “The English Patient” is the production design. From a technical perspective, the movie is extremely well made. Inspired by David Lean’s “The Lawrence of Arabia”, Minghella effectively uses real-life locations in the Middle East to create a strong portrait of the country. Throughout the film, the Sahara Desert becomes a great backdrop showcasing tensions that lovers are facing. For instance, the backdrop of Sahara Desert elevates the car malfunctioning scene. During this tense scene, Count Almasy faces frustration when his car suddenly breaks down in the desert causing tension. One admires the backdrop of deserts capturing the bonds of lovers. Moreover, the musical score is superb. Gabriel Yared’s music is key to the success of the movie. It gives the film a tense atmosphere capturing the heavy burden that lovers often bear. Through phenomenal production design, Minghella captures lovers in disastrous affairs that decline.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “The English Patient” is a captivating period piece that’s compelling. The movie is well-written, and successfully uses non-linear storytelling to capture the life of a soldier which faces tension. Minghella’s greatest screenwriting strength is his ability to use a non-linear storytelling structure to capture tensions faced by a solider. Throughout the movie, the story deftly switches back and forth between two timelines: Count Almasy’s present day hardships as a dying war veteran and the flashbacks of his joyous love affair. Through this ingenious non-linear structure, Minghella creates a compelling character that audiences can easily relate to. Non-linear storytelling is a tricky technique to use. As Christopher Nolan’s “Memento” suggested, non-linear storytelling elevates movies about memory loss. Richard Attenborough’s “Gandhi” suggested that non-linear storytelling elevates biopics about lives of Indian politicians. Nevertheless, it works well in this movie. Through a powerful screenplay, Minghella captures doomed romantic affairs among couples that come with a painful price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Kristin Scott Thomas delivers one of her best career performances as Katharine. Thomas first earned appreciation for playing heroines in renowned period pieces. With “The English Patient”, however, she took on her most tricky role. It isn’t simple to portray a woman which engages in a doomed romantic affair with a soldier causing despair but she succeeded. This is the actress unlike you have ever seen her before: intense, charismatic and powerful in her most memorable role. Thomas has often had an aptitude for playing emotional women under stress, and “The English Patient” found her showcasing her strengths as an actress. With riveting expressions, she captures angst, grief and resentments of a woman engaging in a doomed romantic affair causing tension. It’s a fantastic performance from one of the most commemorated actresses working in the film industry today.
Ralph Fiennes is remarkable as a tormented soldier that engages in a doomed love affair with a price to pay. Fiennes has always had a flair for playing conflicted characters under intense pressure, and “The English Patient” showcased his strength as an actor. Whether he is flirting with Katherine at a public party or grieving the loss of soldiers that are heartbreaking, Fiennes expertly uses his strong body language to create a commemorated soldier that’s compelling. As Count Almasy, Fiennes crested one of the most iconic characters in WWII history. It’s a powerful performance by one of the most commemorated actors that’s working today.
The final most notable standout in the cast is Juliette Binoche. As a compassionate nurse, she brings heartfelt emotion to the movie.
Finally, “The English Patient” will achieve the appreciation of everyone for capturing soldiers facing resentment. Unlike most movies about WWII, it tackles strong themes everyone would relate to. It discusses strong themes including identity, marriage and social class which will resonate with everyone. Viewers don’t need to be fans of the legendary book to appreciate it. It delivers a meaningful message about danger of extramarital affairs that would resonate with everyone. Therefore, “The English Patient” is one of those rare commemorated war movies everyone will adore.
Fans of Kristin Scott Thomas would definitely appreciate “The English Patient” and so would movie-goers seeking thoughtful entertainment. A captivating romantic classic, it celebrates an a fantastic actress that has built a legacy that is iconic.
Nearly 30 years following the release of a groundbreaking film about English soldiers facing doomed romantic relationships with women that are frightening, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actress that has built a lasting legacy earning a huge fan following for her abilities to portray compelling characters in unforgettable movies which are definitely without a single doubt absolutely worth celebrating.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 