MovieChat Forums > The English Patient (1996) Discussion > What's the Point?

What's the Point?

posted 14 years ago by ljz18
6 replies | jump to latest

Other than to tell a story of his draaamaaatic relationship, what's the point of Almasy's character? I ask that in the context of the fact that I was expecting some sort of personal growth and development by the end. (Fatal flaw? Romantic resolution? Regret? Something, anything!) But in contrast, the only growth I observed was from the secondary characters. They were much more interesting than the primary characters' self-indulging lives. Almasy didn't "realize" anything and if he could live his life again, I feel like he'd make exactly the same mistakes.

I liked this movie for Kip & Hana and Caravaggio. It's not due to the fact that they're "likeable," but they were all interesting and layered. Everyone else was just too self righteous and hypocritical. I should be pre-disposed to liking Katharine since I love Kristen Scott Thomas but when her character was dying and said something along the lines of "I don't want to die here. I always envisioned quite a large funeral for myself," I had to roll my eyes.

And sure you can argue that "you can't help who you love" and "love makes you do crazy things" but come on! Almasy and Katharine deserved eachother. Poor Geoffrey.

Seeking a non-pejorative, non-hoity toity response. Thanks

[–] ceramic_leopard 14 years ago

I think its because it was a life lived utterly human in his mistakes and emotions, to show that there can be a blur between right and wrong. I think it was a good look at characters of that time, the formalities of 1940's were so rigid and it's interesting to see how war affected them. He was an interesting man with an interesting story brushed strongly with the same tragedy of war that effected all of those 'secondary' characters around him.
He did regret it but he can't punish himself more than being burnt and dying can he? Regret is not really the right word.
He was heartbroken to hear of his friends suicide and the fact that he saw himself as the reason both people died. Love is difficult, what more can be said, just because people make promises not to fall in love with someone else doesn't mean that people don't. It's hurtful and horrible but maybe time and time again we see that it is something that can't really be bound. I felt so sorry for Geoffrey but he too is a shining example of love making people do crazy things.

[–] sandifay62 13 years ago

Exactly. All movies aren't about growth. All character studies aren't about the main characters understanding themselves and being deep people.

The most telling part of the story was when Almasy was confronted about how his superficial actions affected others. First he was told about them by Caravaggio, then he flashbacked to talking to his partner who talked about how they basically didn't really care what was going on with the bigger picture as long as they got their assignments done; then mused about how he should stop reading too much into things. Almasy slowly came to realize how badly he affected the lives of others when it was too late to do anything about it.

There's no real point. It's just an observance on how people don't realize how they affect each others lives and how much worth they have to others. At least that's how I saw it.

[–] erikriveros 13 years ago

ahhh, i do so find people that ask 'whats the point?' in movies to be sooo special in that 'short bus' kind of way...

it is better to have a gun and not need it, than to need a gun and not have it

[–] cookiela2001 13 years ago

<< ahhh, i do so find people that ask 'whats the point?' in movies to be sooo special in that 'short bus' kind of way... >>

Well, if someone were telling a 2 hour story at a party, you might whisper to someone (or even raise your hand and say), "What's the point??"

I do find this film to be pointless and practically dead.

Nice clothes, though.
.

[–] erikriveros 12 years ago

cookie, was that your attempt at an analogy??

that's fine...your opinion is your own...but if you can't see a love story in here, well, it is just YOUR opinion, right?

it is better to have a gun and not need it, than to need a gun and not have it

[–] luzi_825 9 years ago

This is EXACTLY how I feel. I normally really enjoy this type of movie: I love romance when it's the good kind, when it's complex, epic, crazy, kind of obsessive. But I just couldn't get over the fact that Katherine and Almasy are disgusting, amoral cheaters who deserve exactly what they got. I'm so glad she died in that cave and that Almasy suffered while telling his story. I feel so bad for the husband, I can't get over that and enjoy the rest of that movie.