Cold Mountain (A- or 3.5/4 stars)
North Carolina, 1860's: The South is losing the Civil War. After recovering from a gunshot wound, infantryman Inman (Jude Law) deserts the cause (seen as treason by the Home Guard) & aims to make it home to Cold Mountain to reunite with Ada (Nicole Kidman). It's been 3 yrs. since they saw each other; having shared only a few conversations & one powerful kiss. Though their union was brief, it is lasting. To each other, they are symbols of the end of the war & the hope of living a life with someone when it was all over. Along his arduous journey, he meets a plethora of colorful characters. Meanwhile, after her father dies, Ada has to learn the ropes of managing her lonely farm from a free-spirited drifter named Ruby (Renee Zellweger).
Though she's initially appalled by Ruby, Ada warms to her. And the 2 form a beneficial partnership that develops into a sisterly friendship. Kidman is very good in these scenes; and she makes for a striking Ada. But Zellweger's Ruby steals the show. Her Raggedy Ann appearance mixed with some outrageous, southern tinged-dialogue provided a needed boost during the somber moments of this film. Unfortunately, trouble lurks everywhere; as a group of vagrants empowered to kill deserters (& those who house deserters) come upon Ada, Ruby, Ruby's father (a great Brendan Gleeson), & a young man named Georgia (Jack White, solid). After having met all the people he does (helpers & hindrances), Inman thinks he can make it back home. But his questionable return is met with dissonance as the vagrants close-in on Ada & Ruby. Hope, longing, joy & tragedy culminates in this, the last Act.
'Cold Mountain' captures the horrors for those fighting on the field, the deserters, the mountainfolk & the women left behind to wait for their loved ones' return. Everyone is affected. Some of the best moments in 'CM' involve the people Inman runs into on his trek: a philandering minister (Philip Seymour Hoffman); a sad, young mother (Natalie Portman) who is horribly victimized by Union soldiers; and a lonely old mountain lady (Eileen Atkins) who helps Inman get back on his feet. These characters look & feel like real people; fleshed out in the small vignettes they were allotted. I particularly liked Atkins; explaining how a goat is the best friend you can have in the mountains. He can be your companion. He can give you dairy & meat (as she quietly slits his throat, preparing for dinner). The film is sprinkled with these quiet, yet powerful moments everywhere. John Seale's cinematography is gorgeous. The sets (towns, war bunkers) are exquisite. The costumes are superbly authentic. Law & Kidman give wonderful, nuance-laden performances. But because their time together is so brief, I cared for Inman & Ada more as individuals.
You know, some people feel that an epic war movie like this benefits from a fuller romance -- and I normally agree. However, this is not that type of movie. 'CM' lacks a conventional romance. But to me, that is actually the POINT. Ada arrived in Cold Mountain a timid, shy beauty with no man. Just when she thought she was getting one (Inman), he left for the war. Her father dies, no man is around for years ... so of COURSE she's going to cling onto the memory of Inman -- there's no one else. Same for Inman. He likely had no relationships before Ada (being timid himself). He doesn't know how to act around women. And just when he gets the confidence to go for it (the passionate kiss), he leaves for duty; clinging to her photo as his only tangible memory. There was no romance to build upon initially, which is why their time together near the end is awkward. All we get is a glimpse of what 'could' have been after their reunion in the woods.
'Cold Mountain' casts a spell. But at 147 minutes in length, the pacing goes off & the story loses some of its impact. Director Anthony Minghella makes lengthy films. The English Patient was long, but oozed romance. The Talented Mr. Ripley was long, but fully engaging. In 'Cold Mountain', most scenes are beautiful, scary, funny, grim, or exhilarating, but the length & pacing IS a bit of a detriment. Because of this structural issue, 'CM' falls short of masterpiece status. That said, in my mind, there are way more positives than negatives. Various moments are etched in my mind forever. It's a 'grower' film; one that greatly improves upon multiple viewings. "Mostly, but not altogether magnificent" - that's how I think of 'Cold Mountain'.
Though she's initially appalled by Ruby, Ada warms to her. And the 2 form a beneficial partnership that develops into a sisterly friendship. Kidman is very good in these scenes; and she makes for a striking Ada. But Zellweger's Ruby steals the show. Her Raggedy Ann appearance mixed with some outrageous, southern tinged-dialogue provided a needed boost during the somber moments of this film. Unfortunately, trouble lurks everywhere; as a group of vagrants empowered to kill deserters (& those who house deserters) come upon Ada, Ruby, Ruby's father (a great Brendan Gleeson), & a young man named Georgia (Jack White, solid). After having met all the people he does (helpers & hindrances), Inman thinks he can make it back home. But his questionable return is met with dissonance as the vagrants close-in on Ada & Ruby. Hope, longing, joy & tragedy culminates in this, the last Act.
'Cold Mountain' captures the horrors for those fighting on the field, the deserters, the mountainfolk & the women left behind to wait for their loved ones' return. Everyone is affected. Some of the best moments in 'CM' involve the people Inman runs into on his trek: a philandering minister (Philip Seymour Hoffman); a sad, young mother (Natalie Portman) who is horribly victimized by Union soldiers; and a lonely old mountain lady (Eileen Atkins) who helps Inman get back on his feet. These characters look & feel like real people; fleshed out in the small vignettes they were allotted. I particularly liked Atkins; explaining how a goat is the best friend you can have in the mountains. He can be your companion. He can give you dairy & meat (as she quietly slits his throat, preparing for dinner). The film is sprinkled with these quiet, yet powerful moments everywhere. John Seale's cinematography is gorgeous. The sets (towns, war bunkers) are exquisite. The costumes are superbly authentic. Law & Kidman give wonderful, nuance-laden performances. But because their time together is so brief, I cared for Inman & Ada more as individuals.
You know, some people feel that an epic war movie like this benefits from a fuller romance -- and I normally agree. However, this is not that type of movie. 'CM' lacks a conventional romance. But to me, that is actually the POINT. Ada arrived in Cold Mountain a timid, shy beauty with no man. Just when she thought she was getting one (Inman), he left for the war. Her father dies, no man is around for years ... so of COURSE she's going to cling onto the memory of Inman -- there's no one else. Same for Inman. He likely had no relationships before Ada (being timid himself). He doesn't know how to act around women. And just when he gets the confidence to go for it (the passionate kiss), he leaves for duty; clinging to her photo as his only tangible memory. There was no romance to build upon initially, which is why their time together near the end is awkward. All we get is a glimpse of what 'could' have been after their reunion in the woods.
'Cold Mountain' casts a spell. But at 147 minutes in length, the pacing goes off & the story loses some of its impact. Director Anthony Minghella makes lengthy films. The English Patient was long, but oozed romance. The Talented Mr. Ripley was long, but fully engaging. In 'Cold Mountain', most scenes are beautiful, scary, funny, grim, or exhilarating, but the length & pacing IS a bit of a detriment. Because of this structural issue, 'CM' falls short of masterpiece status. That said, in my mind, there are way more positives than negatives. Various moments are etched in my mind forever. It's a 'grower' film; one that greatly improves upon multiple viewings. "Mostly, but not altogether magnificent" - that's how I think of 'Cold Mountain'.