The English Patient 1996, Rated R Miramax Home Video

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Starring Ralph Fiennes, Kristin Scott Thomas.

This isn't to say though that this isn't a brilliant film. For one thing, the story line is interesting. However, it does require a certain amount of concentration to understand what is going on. On a plot complexity scale of one to ten, one being, say, Twister, and ten being a foreign film without subtitles, The English Patient rates about a seven. It might help to keep a pad of paper handy to take notes like. "the burned guy is the same guy that was flying the plane at the beginning of the movie," or "'Ralph Fiennes' rhymes with 'safe mines.'"

The acting is also quite good. Fiennes delivers an extremely believable performance as the severely burned man telling his life's story from his deathbed. Considering the amount of makeup he wears throughout the entire film, I find it hard to believe that Fiennes could concentrate on acting at all. It's hard enough to "become your character" without also being encased in latex from head to toe.

One of the most pleasing aspects of The English Patient, though, is the cinematography. Even on a television, the wide, sweeping shots of the desert are gorgeous. I haven't seen anything like it since Lawrence of Arabia, which is another extremely long, complex movie. Maybe there is something about setting a movie in the desert...

All in all, I would highly recommend The English Patient, however, you must be prepared to watch it. So be ready to expend some mental effort. Also, block out about three and a half hours of time, make lots of popcorn, buy an economy-size box of Raisinettes, and unplug the telephone. It may sound like a lot of trouble, but, in the long run, it is worth it. If you are willing to do the work, you will be happy you watched The English Patient. You can also brag about it to your friends and sound smart.