 |
 |
| The English Patient |
|
| Originally released: 1996 |
|
|
Rarely has a film dated so badly within the space of five years. Feted
with Oscars, and inevitably backlashed soon after, Minghella's
literate epic was never everyone's cuppa. But it seemed to me all but
miraculous the first time round: superbly shot, scored and performed,
accessibly adapted from Michael Ondaatje's novel, and very moving.
TV, and multiple viewings, don't just diminish it – they kill it,
without hope of resurrection, and make it impossible to recall what
life you ever mistook it for having. Arch and affected ("it's a
very plum plum"), all immaculately sandy, tanned and windswept,
like a Nescafe ad in the style of David Lean. Patient, you'll need to be.
Tim Robey
|
|
 |
|
 |
