A fantastic, refreshingly original and understandably highly acclaimed film from the Writer and Director Anthony Minghella. The film combines some epic footage with superb acting from Jude Law, Nicole Kidman

Rating: 9/10 (2 March 2004)

Cold Mountain
A fantastic, refreshingly original and understandably highly acclaimed film from the Writer and Director Anthony Minghella. The film combines some epic footage with superb acting from Jude Law, Nicole Kidman, and in particular, Renee Zellweger.
In his moving and dramatic film, Minghella adapts the book to the big screen with the sort of class and impeccable attention to detail that sets apart quality Writers and Directors from the rest. This is without a doubt the best film adapted from previous material and would be top in this Oscar category, sweeping aside films such as The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, if it was not for the disgraceful shambles surrounding the fact that it was not nominated in the first place. Perhaps this polemic shows that the good people at the Academy didn't want Cold Mountain to go away with too many awards, having already been nominated for six, including Best Achievement in cinematography.
As well as the amazing writing and direction of the film, Minghella has managed to use cameo appearances that were as surprising as the quality of the motion picture itself. The cast included actors such as Philip Seymour Hoffman, Giovanni Ribisi, Natalie Portman, Ray Winstone and Charlie Hunnam and many more. This large and tremendously talented cast of well chosen actors helped to give the film just what it needed, a strong sense of community and friendship. This in turn was a brilliantly thought out move to back up the strong bond shared by Inman (Jude Law) and Ada (Nicole Kidman), which is the crux of the film.
The action sequences, although incredibly well filmed, were few and far between. Many war films have two plots, the main part of which being the battles, interspersed with short moments from the sub-plot (usually a love story). However, in this plot, such a structure is turned on its head with the main focus being Inman and Ada's struggle to find each other again in the face of considerable danger or hardship. All credit to the writer of the book, Charles Frazier, for creating such an inspiring, touching and originally masterpiece, and to the actors, producers, writers and director for doing it such immeasurable credit.
Inman, the wood labourer turned Confederate soldier, struggles to deal with the pressures of the war, and after having been shot, an injury as well. He receives just three of Ada's numerous letters to him and when he hears, in the last letter, that she wishes him to return he sees his opportunity. Temporarily crippled by his injury, Inman must wait to recover before trying to come back to her.' One evening he escapes from the Military Hospital in which he is being treated and heads for his home town of Cold Mountain. Soldier turned deserter,' he is hunted down by the decadent Home Guard.' On his travels he meets an immoral Priest, banished from his home town, and together they are drawn into a web of deceit that leads them to being captured by the Guard, previously their Allies. Inman continues he fight, not only to get back to Ada, but also to survive with serious food and sleep deprivation. This fight is brilliantly acted in its entirety by Jude Law in this winning performance and supported by the cast of just as fine actors.
Meanwhile, Ada, sick with love for the man who she is desperate to see and hardly even knows at the same time as facing starvation. She writes that the war is being lost twice over by the people who have been left behind.' In one of her finest performances to date, Nicole Kidman shows that she really knows what acting is all about, emotion. Hungry and poor, Nicole Kidman receives just the help she needs, only from an unexpected source. Ruby (Renee Zellweger), appears on the scene in an excellent performance, capped by her very authentic and well developed Southern accent, to help out. As good as a man in practical skill, Ruby has learnt to look after herself from a young age. She too has her own problems to deal with. In particular, the appearance of her deserter father/ musician and his friends, triggers memories of her hard childhood, caused in part by the neglect of her father. The struggle that she faces is beautifully acted and the grit and the determination that make her what she is are the building blocks for the portray of her character in the film. Renee Zellweger does this with a style and uniqueness that makes the part her own.
From set design, to plot, to fantastic casting, this film has all the right ingredients for an all round spectacular film. With one of the best film endings I have ever seen I can justify summing up with the words: Ingenious, resourceful, imaginative and Breath taking!