The English Patient (1996)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Jeff "

  
  The English Patient is a film that I really want to enjoy. Unfortunately, I really couldn't get into the story. I do enjoy a good drama/romance, but Unfortunately this one simply just didn't do it for me. I applaud the acting, as I thought there was good performances here.… More
  The English Patient is a film that I really want to enjoy. Unfortunately, I really couldn't get into the story. I do enjoy a good drama/romance, but Unfortunately this one simply just didn't do it for me. I applaud the acting, as I thought there was good performances here. Unfortunately I didn't very much enjoy the film. I didn't see what the hype was about. I thought the film was quite boring with good acting. I really wanted to get into this, but simply couldn't. For me the greatest romance of all is Casablanca. Everything else seems to be derivative. The English Patient is pretty boring, don't get me wrong, I love films that take time to develop its story, but this film could be much shorter. I felt that the film dragged on, and took far too long to get to the point. Unfortunately this films performances can't save this turkey. Sure people will say this is a sweeping romantic epic, but I thought it was a dud. Like I previously stated, there is only one true romance film, Casablanca. That film is a real classic. However I can't say the same for this film. This film tried too hard at manipulating your emotions and it just didn't work, at least not for me. I felt that The English Patient was a film too wrapped up in its romantic storyline, and it simply jerked your chain to try an sweep you off your feet. I wasn't impressed with this and felt this was a mediocre film with great acting.

• Raymond W

  
  Based on the book of the same name, The English Patient is a sweeping drama that is complex, moving, and very powerful. It's breathtakingly shot, and the score by Gabriel Yared is one of the most beautiful I've ever heard. Juliette Binoche, Ralph Fiennes and Kristen Scott… More
  Based on the book of the same name, The English Patient is a sweeping drama that is complex, moving, and very powerful. It's breathtakingly shot, and the score by Gabriel Yared is one of the most beautiful I've ever heard. Juliette Binoche, Ralph Fiennes and Kristen Scott Thomas give emotional, powerful performances as well.

• Chris W

  
  Ooooh, what have we here? It's a big, sweeping romantic epic rooted in history that's also a literary adaptation (which doesn't surprise me). I can see why this won so damn many Oscars (among other awards). In all seriousness though, I need to be honest. This type of… More
  Ooooh, what have we here? It's a big, sweeping romantic epic rooted in history that's also a literary adaptation (which doesn't surprise me). I can see why this won so damn many Oscars (among other awards). In all seriousness though, I need to be honest. This type of film isn't really my thing, but I am able to recognize when something is (mostly) well made when I see it. That is the case here. I enjpyed some of this film, and it's good in palces, but not overall. I understand that it's Oscar bait, and the nominations (and some of the wins) were deserved, but I think a far stronger film overall (Fargo) should have taken the top prize. All of the technical aspects are well done, and the acting (by a good cast) is okay, but nothing truly amazing. The main issues I have are that the story isn't extremely compelling or original, the film is over long and tedious, and rather boring. Tighten this sucker up, and maybe restructure it, and I might have a better opinion of this thing. Also, I liked the historical aspects of the movie a lot more. It should have been about the characters in the context of history instead of a doomed love story. The non-love stuff was the most interesting. With the structure, this film does lots of skipping between different time periods. Nothing wrong with that, but I think it might have been better to tell this one in a more straightforward way. Also, I noticed that many films (especially ones that have been nominated for or won major awards) tend to use this structure. It's like it is a requirement for these types of epic films or something. It's odd. Look, I didn't hate this film, and I do admire it for being the type of film it is, especially since this sort of thing isn't done too often anymore (and not all that well it seems). I just think it's overblown and overrated.

• AJ V

  
  I saw this romantic drama on TV a few years ago, and it seemed very good from what I saw of it, but I need to see the rest of the film sometime.

• Jameson W

  
  Excellent! One of the most stunning, epic, classic romance films I have ever seen. Winner of 9 Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Supporting Actress, this is a must see! (Even if you are a dude). This is definitely a chick flick, but it's extremely… More
  Excellent! One of the most stunning, epic, classic romance films I have ever seen. Winner of 9 Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Supporting Actress, this is a must see! (Even if you are a dude). This is definitely a chick flick, but it's extremely well made. The cast is brilliant, especially Ralph Fiennes and Kristin Scott Thomas. The cinematography is stunning, the musical score is incredible and touching. The story is great, as is the script. The film is also a geat period piece. I recommend this film, even if it's not your type. It's excellent!

• Jennifer X

  
  Pretty much everything I expected it to be. Read: Oscar movie.

• Brad W

  
  What a enjoyable romance. The English Patient is the only war romance I can think of that doesn't suck. It has Ralph Fiennes who steals the show. The plot was amazing but a bit too long. The acting from everyone was great. And for once some good romantic tensions between two… More
  What a enjoyable romance. The English Patient is the only war romance I can think of that doesn't suck. It has Ralph Fiennes who steals the show. The plot was amazing but a bit too long. The acting from everyone was great. And for once some good romantic tensions between two actors, man this movie was good and deserved the Oscars.

• Jake .

  
  You know, every once in a while a big, sweeping romance is called for, a bit of steamy passion 'tween star-crossed lovers. The problem is that while The English Patient flies under the banned of eternal love, there really isn't much by way of love and romance. I didn't… More
  You know, every once in a while a big, sweeping romance is called for, a bit of steamy passion 'tween star-crossed lovers. The problem is that while The English Patient flies under the banned of eternal love, there really isn't much by way of love and romance. I didn't care about any of these people together as a couple. They all remained individuals, pleasant ones, but completely on their own. I guess, I really did like this movie to a point. It is just a good, solid movie all around. It has a competent cast and they are all typically great. However, the film is just too long, too generic, and even boring at times. As a result, I cannot bring myself to care about it all that much.

• Spencer S

  
  I know, it won all those Oscars, and is cinematic gold blah blah blah. Still, 2.5 hours of angst is too long.

• Cassie H

  
  A beautiful love story. I decided to watch this because I had never seen It before and always wanted to. I'm glad I did because the acting and the movies story was phenomenal. I really would like to watch this movie again! :)

• Morgan S

  
  i have been wanting to watch the movie for sooo long! I read the Novel and I like the movie more for several reasons. One its easier to understand what finnally happened @ the end. In the Novel they never really tell you what happened @ the villa after the discover who the English… More
  i have been wanting to watch the movie for sooo long! I read the Novel and I like the movie more for several reasons. One its easier to understand what finnally happened @ the end. In the Novel they never really tell you what happened @ the villa after the discover who the English Patient is, the just skip ahead 30 some years! I did not like that at all! Second, there seemed to be more on Kathrine and Almasy. I love that story soo much and it seems that it wasnt spent as much time on as it should have been. In the Novel they spent tooo tooo much time on Kips story wich was completely irrelavent! while as Caravaggio's story was important to was happened with Almasy and some of the other characters. Juliette Binoche is always top notch! as was the guy who played Caravaggio...i forgot his name...He was excelent as well. Thats just how I pictured that character. Then we have Ralph Fiennes...WHY HAS HE NOT WON AN OSCAR!!! with This performance ontop of his amazing portral in Schidlers list, He really really deserves one and I cannot beleive that he didnt win for either of those Roles. He is an Amazing actor with GREAT RANGE!! not to mentions smoldering sexy eyes! ;) I just love hime and wish he would be more aknowledged that he is. p.s. The scenery was BREATH TAKING! Such amazing Cinnematography!

• Anthony L

  
  Painfully overrated, dull as dishwater and it rips off Ice Cold in Alex too!

• Fernando Rafael Q

  
  Epic, tragic, superb love story. This modern "Casablanca" achieves greatness on so many levels. First of all, the cinematography. John Seale's work is truly remarkable, especially in the desert scenes; nothing short of spectacular. Secondly, the score by Gabriel… More
  Epic, tragic, superb love story. This modern "Casablanca" achieves greatness on so many levels. First of all, the cinematography. John Seale's work is truly remarkable, especially in the desert scenes; nothing short of spectacular. Secondly, the score by Gabriel Yared. His music provides THE ENGLISH PATIENT of a feeling of grandeur that not many composers are able to give to the films they're scoring. Last but not least, my favorite part: the cast. Even though Juliette Binoche was the only one to actually win an Oscar for her performance, her work was simply alright and didn't merit an Academy Award. Criminally overlooked was Willem Dafoe. His short (but key) role as Caravaggio is definitely among Dafoe's finest work. Ralph Fiennes is solid as quiet, mysterious Almásy, an unlikely but intriguing leading man. His leading lady, Kristin Scott Thomas, is equally impressive as Katherine. Thomas is reminiscent of old Hollywood, due to her unique beauty and classic glamour. Though it might feel a little too long, the film's last hour is cinema at its best, and any shred of boredom vanishes instantly.

• Jennifer D

  
  Chick. Flick.

• Stefanie C

  
  powerful, beautiful and passionate.

• Dean M

  
  Even before the ceremonies were held, this old-style, David Lean-esque epic had Oscar written all over it. Set during World War II, the film begins with a spectacular, fiery plane crash in which there is one survivor, known to his caretaker only as "the English patient."… More
  Even before the ceremonies were held, this old-style, David Lean-esque epic had Oscar written all over it. Set during World War II, the film begins with a spectacular, fiery plane crash in which there is one survivor, known to his caretaker only as "the English patient." Ralph Fiennes, as the mysterious title character, carries this drama movie through flashbacks, conspiracies, and the properly slower pace of the character-driven storytelling. All involved are to be commended for this modern, high class fare.

• Mason W

  
  The English Patient starring Juliette Binoche, Kristin Scott Thomas, Colin Firth, and Ralph Fiennes is a very good film. I would strongly recommend this lovely film to people. This movie centers during the 1930's and 40's love affairs set in Europe.

• Alice S

  
  I'm kinda with Elaine...not that hot or romantic.

• Pierluigi P

  
  Anthony Minghella recovered the exotic romanticism of his compatriot David Lean. Insightful, poetic and strikingly sensitive epic tale.

• Ross C

  
  I really enjoy a good romantic epic and no other story has been quite as grand and touching nor can any other compare with the way this film turns desert vistas into scenes of romantic beauty.

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