MovieChat Forums > The English Patient (1996) Discussion > Why people DISLIKE this movie so much

Why people DISLIKE this movie so much

posted 12 years ago by asburyparkwest
24 replies | jump to latest

Before I begin, I want to say that I really liked this movie... so much so that I had the movie's poster up in my college dorm room (not typical, as Cuckoo's Nest, Scarface and Reservoir Dogs posters were more common fare) and was nicknamed "the english patient" by friends.

However, there are many who DETEST this movie (as lampooned on Seinfeld), saying it's too long, too boring and too melodramatic. Back then, I could appreciate why they would say those things (different strokes for different folks). But until I recently re-watched it in full, I didn't understand why.

I think I now understand why...

The foundation of "getting into" and caring about this movie is the love between Almasy and Katherine. Everything that unfolds in the movie hinges on that idea hooking into your consciousness. If you don't believe in their relationship, then nothing else works.

For (American) movie-watchers, however, I believe Almasy and Katherine were much too boring, sexless, cold, and uninteresting to give two-craps about. Almasy is boring, doesn't like to talk, insulting to people in a not flirting way - I wouldn't want to spend 2 minutes with the guy. And, Katherine? A bit annoying, a bit of a prude, not all that attractive (let's be honest... KST looked like she was 50 years old when she was 33) - makeup and soft-lighting do wonders.

Their relationship sparks during an intense reading around the campfire. Really?? Much too blase of a start to this raging love that must sustain a close to three-hour movie.

Ultimately, I think it was miscast. Ralph Fiennes is good looking, but can't really pull off the "brooding" loner guy as well as other guys. Brad Pitt would've exuded that quality much more, but not sure if he could pull off a convincing accent. Plus, by that stage, Pitt had done his share of "brooding" leading men (River Runs Through It, Legends of the Fall).

As for KST, please see earlier comments. They needed a much younger and warm-blooded actress... someone who exudes more passion, sex and warmth.

Colin Firth was perfectly cast as the bumbling, "buddy" husband, but the two leads were not. I still loved the movie, but more warm-blooded actors in the lead roles could've made this movie one for the ages (instead of being the "artistic" film that got Elaine Benes angry enough to yell, "Just die already!" in a packed theater).

[–] BKinzeys 12 years ago

And here I was, taking a break from watching the movie, and I had been thinking how beautiful Kristin Scott Thomas is in this movie.

Brad Pitt instead of Ralph Fiennes? Don't agree there either.

It's long and it moves slowly, otherwise I think it's an excellent film. I gave it an 8.

[–] craigbhill 10 years ago

The guy who thinks the two leads were not right in the film proves his lack of appreciation for fine acting by bringing up Brad Pitt, who would have been entirely wrong for the part. He wears his emotions on his sleeve, he can't hide anything. The Almasy character is more than anything a mystery to everyone to try to understand because he's specifically hard to. That's what the Moose character comes to see, there's much more there to this guy than he thought, and we as well, as revelations about him are (pun) eventually fleshed out. Pitt could not handle such a role. The producers of this gem knew what they were doing and got it beautifully right, including, in their seeming ordinariness, Fiennes and Scott-Thomas.

Native Angeleno

[–] sarizonana 12 years ago

I loved this movie .
It's one of my favorite romantic movies of all time and big part of why it works is precisely the main couple.
The chemistry between Ralph Fiennes and Kristin Scott Thomas was just incredible, very few times we can see something like this.

Of course the story it's beautiful and tragic and slowly we see how Almasy and Catherine got more involved with Time.

About both being miss cast I disagree especially Ralph Fiennes.

Maybe Kristin Scott Thomas was a little old for this part but she still looked beautiful and gave a great performance.
Another thing this movie was done in the 90s where they picked more sophisticated and elegant woman instead of models who couldn't act.

Ralph Fiennes was just perfection I don't think he was cold at all actually if Ralph looked at me the way he did at Catherine Id faint.
Maybe it's not your type and that's why weren't so convinced with him but he is my biggest crush so I think he was just perfect to play Almasy

[–] mference123 11 years ago

Brad Pitt? Really??

You lost all credibility there.

Ralph Fiennes is good looking, but can't really pull off the "brooding" loner guy

I strongly disagree. I think it's the only character he can play, but he does it so very well. He sizzled in this film.

I understand. Thank you for telling me. -The masked bandit

[–] TheMouseShadow 11 years ago

Brad Pitt? THe guys awesome but not in the same acting league as Fiennes.

KST looked gorgeous in this film.

[–] Rob4001 11 years ago

There is absolutely no way in hell Brad Pitt would have been able to play this part. That's a hilarious suggestion tbh.

Fiennes is perfect in this film.

[–] lensue88 11 years ago

The reasons you dislike the movie are my favorite parts of this. I fell for Fiennes/Scott-Thomas completely, they're both gorgeous. The chemistry in the Christmas scene?! KST was in her 30s in 1996.

[–] milo44 11 years ago

I'm an American and I love this movie .. Almasy is my kind of man .. And I understand why Princess Diana loved this movie .. most likely for the same reasons that I do .. Most people never find true love .. but if you think it's within reach , I say go for it .. You only live once .. As for Ralph Fiennes , to me he's not that good looking , but looks aren't everything .. it's the person , not the looks that I fall in love with .. I wouldn't have watch this movie if Brad Pitt had been anywhere near it .

[–] doughazelrigg 11 years ago

IMO, many people dislike this decidedly throwback of a melodrama because society has become so jaded and cynical. Those of us who have watched and enjoyed a lot of older films from the "Golden Age" are a bit more accustomed to this sensibility. Having said that, there ARE a couple moments, like when Katherine and Almasy call each other "darling" that make me wince a bit... or when Caravaggio says, "You get to the morning and the poison leaks away... black nights." However, taken as a whole, this movie represents a genuine landmark, they way Robert Frost's poetry was a landmark, albeit a reactionary one, during a time of innovation, in both form and content, in literature

[–] milo44 11 years ago

You said that so nicely .. and I see just what you mean .

[–] sarizonana 11 years ago

I don't think you have ton love the movies from the golden Age to love this film, it's just loving the genre of Romance more than any Other and have patience for films with a slower peace.

This also had great photography, nice costumes and a very good score, so this with the great performances by Ralph Fiennes and KST makes this film my favorite romance of all time.

Also the Chemistry was intense, they seemed like they were made for each other.

[–] lizcarlo87 11 years ago

I enjoy this movie and I'm American.

I liked it, because it had great photography, nice costumes and a beautiful score. This with the great performances by the actors makes this film very enjoyable. The chemistry is sizzling.