The Critics Speak

Cold Mountain

Critic: Steph Lewis
On a scale of 0 to Awesome, I rate this: Gotta See It
Released: December 25, 2003
Director: Anthony Minghella
MPAA RATING: R, violence and sexuality

Before I begin, I just need to say the following: Jude Law is about as hot as they get. Nicole Kidman doesn't quite pull of the youthful characters anymore, although she is still charming. Renee Zellweger would be great if she stopped doing that puffy-cheek-lip-pout thing that she does IN EVERY SINGLE MOVIE SHE'S IN.

This movie gave me a new perspective on war, especially ones fought the old fashioned way. I forget that there are places and times where people actually wanted/needed a war in order to feel better/stronger about life. I can't imagine all the young boys around me gathering around exclaiming, "WE GOT OUR WAR!" I think now it's more of a, "Hmmm...well, if I have to go...I guess," kind of thing. In Cold Mountain, we see the trauma and agony of families divided, newly-appointed sheriffs overstepping thier bounds, loves lost, the injured pushed back into a losing battle, and the small kindnesses that help along the way.

This movie addresses the many kinds of relationships that can be effected during war (Civil War). Nicole Kidman plays the role of Ada Monroe, a preacher's dauther, who goes with her father to Cold Mountain, North Carolina. Here, she falls in love with Inman (Jude Law), a GORGEOUS, kind man. Inman goes off to the war, and Monroe waits in Cold Mountain for his return. She develops a friendship with Ruby (Renee Zellweger), a tough woman who teaches Monroe how to survive. Inman deserts the war after a couple of nasty injuries, and struggles to make his way back home without getting killed for leaving his post. We see each character make their journey through these difficult times as they struggle to hold on to hope.

The part I enjoyed most about this movie is that it stayed with me for several days after I saw it. I kept reconsidering possibilities of what could have been, looking at the choices made, pondering the pain of the Civil War, and even looking at who I am and what I would become in times that are trying. The characters were great...I especially enjoyed some of the smaller appearances by Natalie Portman, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Ethan Suplee, and Jack White.

Overall, this movie is beautiful, has GREAT characters (and lots of them!), and a solid storyline. It was missing a certain something...a sort of cohesiveness that would have made me give it a higher rating. My only real beef with it is the Zellweger pout-face thing and the fact that it felt a little too "Hollywood Storyteller" for me with some of the voice-over narration and drawn out scenes.