The English Patient (1996)

The English Patient (1996) was very very long (our Zoom participant from San Francisco called it a four buckets of popcorn film) but a good number of us were prepared to stay for the discussion afterwards. One member of the group had read the Michael Ondaatje book and said it was short, by comparison.

Some very strong reactions were shared. Most of us loved this movie, particularly as most of us had returned to it twenty years on. It was “a magnificent film” and “exquisite,” dealing with powerful key themes such as love, loss, grief and war. The story “unravelled” and this was beautifully achieved.

Gabriel Yared’s haunting music and the cinematography were “outstanding” and the scenery “amazing.”  The fresco scenes showed hope and beauty in the darkness.  The sound was authentic and heady. Islamic prayers melting into one scene, for example, expressed the spirit of Cairo.

The parallel plot line between the two sets of lovers, Katherine and László and Hana and Kip was mentioned. Katharine (Kristin Scott Thomas) asked László (Ralph Fiennes), "Promise me you'll come back for me," as they faced separation and he replied that he would never leave her. This was the intense central core of the film.

Although it wasn’t our discussion leader’s cup of tea, this 1996 film was certainly of its time (the younger member of the group called it The Year of The Spice Girls). It was big, bold, romantic and stunning to look at. It’s no surprise it won nine Oscars.

We mentioned other films connected with the remarkable director Anthony Minghella, who sadly died at 54. This film is Truly, Madly, Deeply, a tribute to his skills.

The poignant shorts, with a sand theme, were appreciated, as were the sand related films that accompanied our Rosemary’s Pantry refreshment break.

Anne