When The English Patient came out on video back in 1996, I tried to watch it a couple of times, but couldn’t get past the boring beginning. Plus, I was completely turned off due to that Seinfeld episode where everyone loves the movie but Elaine hates it. I remember her sitting in the theater with her boss J. Peterman and screaming “Just die already, DIE!!” at the screen as she writhed in boredom.
But I figured enough time had passed to give it another chance. This time, I didn’t think it was all that bad. Don’t get me wrong: I don’t think it was a great movie or anything like that and I’m not quite sure why it won the Best Picture Oscar, but it was ok. It took me four sittings to get through the 2 hour and 40 minute running time, though.
I remember everyone saying that this was a great love story, but frankly, I didn’t see that at all. The Count and Katherine Clifton were committing adultery, after all. Hey, I’m no prude, but that hardly seems like the basis of a great love story to me. Of course something like that would end in tragedy!
Overall, the film was just average to me. I certainly can’t imagine ever watching it again, but at least now I can at least say that I’ve seen it!
Read Roger Ebert’s somewhat enigmatic review of The English Patient right here.