Depressing tale in frozen scenario

Rating: 4/10 (17 November 2006)

Much has been said about the implausibility of the romance between the Jude Law and the Nicole Kidman characters, but personally I do not find their idealistic passion unbelievable. Actually, the fact that they barely know each other adds to the credibility of their long-term, long-distance relationship. Love at first sight does occur, and mad passion usually burns in the early stages of a relationship, when one does not know the other well. Then you have mystery fueled by desire, hope and expectations.
Therefore I do not object to Inman and Ada passion. What I object to, is the fact that Ada is quite too old to be taken seriously as a passionate virgin. When Kidman played this part she was 36, which is more the age for a mature spinster. Besides, Jude Law is five years younger than Kidman and it does show. Basically, I wonder why the part of Ada did not go to a younger actress. Kidman looks fantastic for her age and she is a beautiful woman, but this part called for a girl. Portman, who has a supporting role, would have been perfect for the lead.
Another thing I object to is the artificiality of the whole set-up. This movie is corny sentimental while trying to sell itself as a great tragedy. Each situation is blatantly staged for maximum cheap thrills; from the opening battle, carefully shot so as to generate horror and disgust and to convey the idea that war is unreasonable, to the sadistic torturing and killing of Ada's neighbor family, to the obligatory sex scene between the two leads, artfully shot, so as to show parts of their tonic bodies floating in honey-colored light.
Minghella is pressing hard to make us reach for the handkerchiefs, but his Ada is no Scarlet O'Hara, and the final result is gloomy and depressing rather than heartbreaking. The movie sits stills in its frozen scenario, the only warmth coming from Renee Zelwegger, who deservedly got an Oscar for her performance.