Nice Acting

Rating: 8/10 (28 December 2003)

This movie, suffering a just a little from the semi-believability of the plot (a tale set in modern times and loosely based on real events; the real and somewhat less than heroic desertion a centerpiece for rumination), is nonetheless engaging and so well cast, acted and filmed it deserves a viewing. The fans of "Dances With Wolves" will be delighted as well as those enamored of the Odysseyan journey-film, sure always to be populated with oddball characters, punctuated with humorous moments and almost always senseless violence. "Dead Man" seems to be the only film of the recent past with the feel of "Cold Mountain", though the earlier film had more bizarre events than are recorded in the latter. But here we must note the attractiveness of the cast in "Cold Mountain". Renee would look great in a burlap sack, and Jude Law and Nicole are of the same ilk. The battle scenes are all quite good, although it is a bit of a stretch to think Inman would find his documents so readily after so horrendous an explosion. And for the life of me I cannot determine how the "turkey shoot" devolved into a hand-to-hand combat situation within a few frames of film. Inman's journey (oddly from inland to coast to inland) expressly exploits the "Dead Man" aspect (or more recently "Oh Brother..") view of travels cross country. Note the completely rural setting of all the scenes; even in the U.S. of the 1860's it would be difficult to steer such a course. Not on any occasion is a large town sighted. There is more than enough good writing to offer us some laughs, but for certain Ms. Zellwegger steals the show. Her portrayal of a country girl of resource and unbounded energy (I don't offhand remember anyone filmed walking so bouncily)is such a pleasure to watch almost anyone in the camera with her seems to be in a support role.