breathtaking visuals,moving story but the film itself was tough to watch.

Rating: 6/10 (19 March 2006)

SPOILERS:
Cold Mountain was a film I tried to see when it first played on the big screen but didn't manage to get to the theater. It's been playing on television lately so I sat down to watch. I didn't like it all that much even though it was very moving.
The visuals, featured in this film, almost defy description. They were absolutely breathtaking, to the point where one could turn the sound down and just watch the film to let the photography envelop you. The landscapes were an absolute dream and the film was definitely moving.
So WHY didn't I like this? Well first off, is the length. This is a very long movie and moves very very slowly so one really has to be in the right frame of mind when they sit down to watch it. Also, as anyone who knows the plot would know, it is a very sad picture and that element, coupled with the very long length, and slow pacing makes it rather difficult to enjoy.
It is also very violent in many areas which again, most, who know the plot would know when sitting down to watch it, since it is about war.But there were other elements I had problems with. Nicole Kidman and Jude Law did not have any on screen chemistry, and, though Nicole Kidman is one of my favorite actresses working today, I felt she was miscast. She was supposed to be exhausted and despairing on a farm, yet her eye makeup never looked better. It was a bit tough to buy as at times she looked liked she was headed off to a modeling assignment.
Some of the dialog seemed forced to me as well and the reunion between Law and Kidman lacked something as well. I'm an admirer of Cold Mountain because of it's beauty, poignancy and some of it's casting such as Zellweger as Ruby. But the movie won't go down as one of my favorites. My vote is 6 of 10.