Drama in the Desert

Its been three years since I first watched the English Patient. I was in my final semester at school and had armed myself with loads of free hours to explore the award winning flicks. Then there was a second viewing..then a third...last week was probably my seventh..I show it to friends and try to sense if the movie strikes a chord with them. I am a compulsive channel changer while watching TV - always chasing what I may be missing rather than stop and indulge in the present. Yet it is almost an obsession for this movie that stops, when I read the title, my fingers from seeking the next-best-thing to watch. Till the last of the credits trickle in , for as long as it takes, I sit there watching, mesmerised and drawn into Almachy and Katherine's world - A world of deserts, storms, betrayal, war and strong poetic love..Its cinematography is complemented by soul stirring music - a blend of classical and folk , thought provoking dialogues match the calibre of its outstanding cast -thats perfect cinema for you. The plot, though appears complex, is deflty handled and seamlessly moves between flashback episodes and the end of WW2. Ralph Fiennes is the English Patient, severly burned and miraculously revived, waiting for the air to leave his lungs while memories linger. Juliette Binoche is the unlucky nurse ( that decides to stay in a ruined Italian villa taking care of Almasy (Ralph). Kip (a fine, subtle portrayal by Naveen Andrews) is an Indian sapper with the British army who falls in love with Juliette. Willem Dafoe plays a Canadian spy seeking revenge against Almasy. Almasy's love affair with Katherine, a married woman, is the central theme of the movie with the WW2 serving as a fitting backdrop. The movie talks about the insignificance of boundaries on maps and that the only boundaries that really matter are emotional and are embedded deep within. An interesting line from the movie: A supremely possesive Almasy accuses Katherine of betrayal after their break-up- "I've watched you - on verandahs, at Garden Parties, at the Races – how can you stand there? How can you ever smile? As if your life hadn't capsized?". To which Kathrine retorts "Do you think you're the only one who feels anything? Is that what you think?". English Patient- A treat for drama lovers.

Basically

Let's go for dinner, its getting late! * How's the lassi, the sun has no mercy * Just a sec, I need to use the restroom * ...and the wise king drank the poisoned wine * These idlis are soft as pillows * I dropped dead in bed last night * Ah this is so filling * Go wash your feet, its not hygenic! * How much sugar? * 30 seconds on the microwave * Ma'am, there is a 50% discount on this bed * How was the food last nite? * I can't stop craving chocolates! * Oh! what a relief! * Don't move around, I wake up every time.. * Can you pass the water and.. what were you saying? * Gents * It is a painting of an old man sitting on the mud floor with his mouth eager, open and about to take in a handful of rice * Why did you stop? * ...and when you drink the last glass, thats when it hits you... * He loved the payasam with cardamoms and now I can never make it for anyone else * Damn, there is no bathroom tissue * One large pizza with Jalapeno and pineapples, easy on cheese * The next time you spill, I'll make u stand in the corner facing the walls for an hour * Coffee, Coffee, Coffee * Come outside soon!! * Oh god, can you do that again? * Last nite I had the same dream * I'm so full I can’t walk * Hold on for some more time * ...and what happened to your table manners? * I love the shape of the top half of the bread * Excuse me, where is the nearest restroom? * U should either sleep or walk * Some cant go in without a newspaper * I need some rest, I can hardly keep my eyes open * That tastes so much like vadaam ille? * Ill be a just a minute * ..and whenever we ate those Hersheys, me and my brother hugged each other * Im sitting and you are standing..pleese get some water! * Never slept in anything like this before * Im a hungry boy. * But there was too much salt! * Drink tonnes of water * Come let's grab some food * The line ouside is so long!! * Incoming cheap outgoing free * The aroma fills the air * Yes, just a little higher * zzzzz *