robowriter:

This movie should appear in the thesaurus as a synonym for cinematography. It is a class act in the realm of movie-making and you can't call yourself a serious movie lover unless The English Patient moves you to the core. The plot is interwoven with flashbacks that progressively reveal the full story in the present, the scenery is captivating, the acting is gripping, the script is sublime, and the panorama of human experience they depict is a cinematic treasure. This movie is about the duality and unpredictable tragedy (esp. in wartime) of human decisions, made wisely or unwisely, in the service of social, professional, or romantic needs. The adultery between Ralph Fiennes and Karen Scott Thomas is as passionate and sincere as any nascent true love -- though not without several brushes with mortality. (The R rating comes from several nude scenes and some trysting histrionics.) Warning: You will whine about having watched this movie if you find that thinking makes your brain hurt and sustained thinking makes it explode. This is a serious movie and that means no gratuitous explosions or Arnold Schwarzenegger one-liners. The best litmus test: If you're a Seinfeld fan, this movie is not fit for you -- or rather, you are not fit for it. For anyone with a heart and a brain, this is definitely a movie to own. 5 stars.

1d56bcdd85:

I wanted to more than just like The English Patient. I recently watched this movie again, maybe to change my mind about it, but to no avail. This movie has great casts, Kristin Scott Thomas fleshes out the most believable character in this movie. The film captures the most beautiful African desert sceneries. The story is full of twists and turns, intrigues and romances, but I find myself can't sympathize, or relate emotionally and intellectually with any of the characters. Well, that's the important part for me, so I can't change my mind, I only like The English Patient for its visual beauty.

Merivel:

This is an amazing, gorgeous period epic about love, identity, and nationality in times of war. The cinematography and attention to detail make you feel like you are right there in the desert or Italy with the characters. Ralph Fiennes and Kristen Scott Thomas both deliver flawless performances that gently draw you in. If you like period dramas, thinking movies, or vast epics a la Gone With the Wind, Cleopatra or Lawrence of Arabia, this movie is for you. Clearly, not a film for those who are bored by dynamic characters and prefer to sit slack-jawed in theatres.

BH 87601:

Not sure why this got all the attention that it did. It dragged on, and had an anticlimatic ending. The historical wardrobes and scenery where nice, but it just felt like an emotional, boring Indy Jones kind of flick.

AS 684332:

If there is a flaw to this disc, it's the lack of an anamorphic transfer, and a slightly low centering of the film frame. But it's really only on a widescreen front projection system that these minor nits result in any noticeable detriment. Putting them aside, the film has a wonderfully smooth, softly lit quality that perfectly matches the tone of the story. The 5.1 audio track complements the visuals - big explosions are not the highlight of this film by any means, but when they come they're have just that much more impact. The sandstorm scene is particularly riveting. The complete lack of any production notes, trailers, or other extra materials may disappoint some viewers, but this film stands on its own merits and this respectable disc is well worth a place on the shelf.

SC 946432:

I think this movie is somewhat overrated. It does have all the makings of a classic love story, with the war in the desert as a backdrop. But it is just too slow: it had a hard time keeping my interest during the long middle section. Clocking in at 2 hours and 40 minutes, it is at least 40 minutes too long; some judicious editing would have improved the movie significantly. However, if you can make it through to the end, all the plot lines come together, and the payoff is worth the effort.

Enoize:

This movie is definitely not for those who loved big-budget action films. This is a true art epic. The story is absolutely gorgeous as well as the directing, photography, and editing. This is a great example of how to make the perfect film.

Ryan Daniel:

This movie was so boring I couldn?t even watch it. The English Patient is you typical depoliticization of history Oscar film; choose a time period at random, set a timelessly love story in it, cast two attractive actors, win Oscars. In a year when the actually best picture Fargo is nominated no less, I can?t say I?m the least bit surprised.