1. THE ENGLISH PATIENT (Anthony Minghella)
2. HATE (Mathieu Kassovitz)
3. BREAKING THE WAVES (Lars von Trier)
Lars von Trier's most accomplished vision yet. His previous films ZENTROPA and THE KINGDOM were certainly ambitious, if somewhat meandering, ineffective films, but BREAKING THE WAVES is his clearest vision yet. His cause is much helped by the year's best performance courtesy of Emily Watson who inhabits her role with luminous ease.
4. SECRETS AND LIES (Mike Leigh)
Director Mike Leigh turns from the searing nihilism of NAKED to honest redemption, his grasp of the new sure as before.
The rest of the best: ANGELS AND INSECTS, BIG NIGHT, BOUND, FARGO, HAMLET, LA CÉRÉMONIE, PARADISE LOST: CHILD MURDERS AT ROBIN HOOD HILLS, RIDICULE, SWINGERS, THIEVES.
Honourable mentions: CRASH, DEAD MAN, JUDE, LONE STAR, WELCOME TO THE DOLLHOUSE, A MIDWINTER'S TALE.