The English Patient (1996)

This movie should appear in the thesaurus as a synonym for cinematography. It is a class act in the realm of movie-making and you can't call yourself a serious movie lover unless The English Patient moves you to the core. The plot is interwoven with flashbacks that progressively reveal the full story in the present, the scenery is captivating, the acting is gripping, the script is sublime, and the panorama of human experience they depict is a cinematic treasure. This movie is about the duality and unpredictable tragedy (esp. in wartime) of human decisions, made wisely or unwisely, in the service of social, professional, or romantic needs. The adultery between Ralph Fiennes and Karen Scott Thomas is as passionate and sincere as any nascent true love -- though not without several brushes with mortality. (The R rating comes from several nude scenes and some trysting histrionics.) Warning: You will whine about having watched this movie if you find that thinking makes your brain hurt and sustained thinking makes it explode. This is a serious movie and that means no gratuitous explosions or Arnold Schwarzenegger one-liners. The best litmus test: If you're a Seinfeld fan, this movie is not fit for you -- or rather, you are not fit for it. For anyone with a heart and a brain, this is definitely a movie to own. 5 stars.