The English Patient

Last Friday night I re-watched The English Patient for the first time in 10 years or so.

Wow.

I don't think I could really appreciate this movie the first time I saw it.  This time - with some time and complications under my belt - I was absolutely blown away.  

The way he sang all the time but didn't know it.

That she loved his handwriting. 

The way they STARED at each other.  And then she slapped him before they ripped each others' clothes off...

The way she looks at him like Blanche Devereaux when he tells her he can still taste her.

*Oh, my*

Favorite line:  "How can you stand there - how can you ever smile as if your life hadn't capsized?"

Second favorite - and the one that made me cry:  "I just want you to know, I'm not missing you yet."

And the reply:  "You will."

And this:

"Dance with me... I want to touch you.  I want the things which are mine, which belong to me."

"Do you think you're the only one who feels anything?  Is that what you think?"

*oh my and heavy sigh*

At the time I saw it, I remember thinking that Katherine and her husband loved each other.  And I suppose they did - but now I see how he ignored her and took her for granted.  They weren't in love with each other.  They were just used to each other.   And Katherine and Almasy were madly, obsessively in love with each other - with all the beauty and ugliness and mess that that entails. 

I am terrified of marrying someone because I'm used to him.  I think maybe that's one of the reasons I've never been able to do it.  It's not what I want.  I'm not sure if it's a good thing and sometimes I'm pretty sure it's not.  But there it is.   And then I'm terrified of the mess when you ARE in love.

Yeah I know.  I definitely need more therapy.

And speaking of Katherine and her husband brings us to the timely matter of Mr. Colin Firth, who appeared as said husband - a superficially pleasant and snivel-y little jerk.  I was reminded of what a good actor he is - although he was another thing I didn't appreciate at the time. 

If you haven't seen it, go - get it now.

If you have seen it - see it again.

And if you love it, I'd love to hear from you.