The English Patient swept the board at the 1997-1998 Academy Awards, picking up one of the largest hauls of Oscars in history. Antony Minghella’s masterpiece of wartime drama and romance certainly deserves all of the accolades and awards that it has already received.
The English Patient is the story of how love developed between two people, set against the backgrounds of North African desert, and lush Italian countryside. The Patient of the film’s title (beautifully played by Ralph Fiennes, who is perfectly suited to the role of English gentleman) has been left horribly scarred and dying by an horrific plane crash, in which he was nearly killed. He lies in a ruined monastery, cared for by a Canadian nurse (Juliet Binoche.) As the film progresses, we see his thoughts wander through the events that led to him being in the crash, in flashback. There are various subplots involving the characters that come across him in the monastery, from the mysterious Caravaggio, a Canadian secret agent, played by Willem Dafoe, to the mine clearers that work in the region.
However, the main focus of the story is on Fiennes. He was a part of the Royal Geographical Society, surveying the African desert; his party joined by a married couple, the Cliftons (played by Colin Firth and Kristin Scott-Thomas) At first, he finds Katherine Clifton’s presence objectionable, but he grows to love her due to the circumstances forced upon them.
This love is the main focus of the story, and carries the message of the film. The torment that both parties go through is clear through the direction, and the powerful portrayals of the lead actors. We see their relationship develop over time, and we can feel Katherine’s pain when she realises that it is with Fiennes that she wishes to spend her life, but that they cannot be together. Firth provides an excellent foil for this, as the unknowing husband who does not realise the turmoil that is going on around him.
The imagery of the film is superb - the heat of the desert contrasts with the cool greenery of the Italian countryside, enhancing the feelings of the Patient; the events in Africa were hot, passionate and impulsive, whereas the mood in the monastery is one of calm and reflection. The subplots in the monastery symbolise the unrest that is still present in his mind.
This is one of the finest films that I have ever seen. I won’t reveal any more of the plot here: to do so would spoil your enjoyment when you go to see it yourself. The English Patient could not be any more highly recommended. Strong acting, gripping storyline, well-written script and marvellous cinematography all lead to a modern epic, the like of which we have not seen for a long time.