cold mountain [B]

moviemcpeake snippet: Anticipating a moving civil war epic, I found myself not disappointed, but wanting a bit more. I absolutely loved this movie, but I have come to realize that just because I love it it doesn't mean it is an A film. Cold Mountain is a classic example.

There was something missing, something in the story that didn't grab my soul. Something that didn't get me so involved, I lost track of reality. I was searching for something that would cause my heart to cry and my eyes to tear. I should experience these emotions in a true epic film. It wasn't the acting though, it was something missing in the journey.

We start by meeting Ada (Nicole Kidman) and Inman (Jude Law). Coming from different social backgrounds, they flirt around conversations and sporadic town meetings. Through out the film, the director (Anthony Minghella) takes different aspects of their lives, the flirtations of Ada and Inman, Inman and the Civil War, his journey home, and Ada waiting in Cold Mountain for Inman's return and intertwines them seamlessly without ever taking away from the simplicity of the story or the depth (or lack of depth?) of the characters.

To briefly touch upon the acting. Jude Law's performance was wonderful, stoic, quietly romantic and yet rugged. Nicole Kidman delivered another Oscar nominated performance. I enjoyed her as Ada but at the same time it wasn't a heart wrenching, standing ovation type of character therefore I think it will be difficult for Kidman to win a second Oscar with this role. Nor do I think she should. Small roles carried by Phillip Seymore Hoffman and Giovanni Ribisi were wonderful as each of their characters provided an edgy twist to the journey. But really the winner goes to Renée Zellweger. And I thought I would never say that. Typically, I find that although a good actor, I never lose myself in her performances nor forget that she is Zellweger, but did she ever put on a show in Cold Mountain. She plays Ruby Thewes, a farm woman that comes to help Ada and save her farm. Her performance is raw, humorous, and at one point provided the only gut wrenching scene. I found myself longing for more on-screen time with Ruby Thewes and that her scenes were the most memorable. Without seeing many other possible supporting actress contenders, I know she has my vote for the Oscar win.

So I come to the end of this review and I still don't know quiet what was missing from this film. Was it the fact that Ada and Inman didn't really seem to change emotionally even though they experience the hardest journeys of their lives? Was it the fact that the dialog was sparse? Overall, I enjoyed myself, and I think it is worth the nominations it is getting and I encourage people to experience Cold Mountain themselves, just don't expect to feel warm at the end of your journey.

recommendations: see it for the delivery of one of the best lines in film: "They call this war a cloud over the land. But they made the weather and then they stand in the rain and say 'Shit, it's raining!'"