The feted British director of literate character studies, on an
increasingly broad cinematic canvas and with unusual narratives,
Minghella started off on English TV. His film debut Truly Madly Deeply
established his credentials as an actors' director and one unafraid of
emotion. Moving to Hollywood for Mr Wonderful, he attempted with mixed
success to update the romantic comedy genre for a discerning audience.
Several years passed before The English Patient, a highly ambitious
adaptation of Michael Ondaatje's Booker-winning novel, which won
nine Oscars including Best Picture and Director. He went on to adapt
Patricia Highsmith's thriller The Talented Mr Ripley, which received
credit for its thematic daring while disappointing in terms of
suspense.
