When a movie tries to be everything to everyone, it usually fails to live up to anyone's expectations. Cold Mountain is one of few exceptions to that rule.

Rating: 7/10 (14 July 2004)

When a movie tries to be everything to everyone, it usually fails to live up to anyone's expectations. Cold Mountain is one of few exceptions to that rule. The critically acclaimed, award-winning film is now available on 2-disc DVD and VHS.
While the recent theatrical success of Fahrenheit 9/11 highlights the country's division regarding the war in Iraq, this film tells a similar tale. Set in a time where America was torn apart by clashing ideology and values, Cold Mountain is an epic saga of life during Civil War America. In it, we bear witness to the lives of a blossoming couple who are torn apart by duty and loyalty to one's country. Inman (Jude Law, Road To Perdition) is a young Confederate solider who, after being wounded in battle, deserts the war and takes a 300 mile walk toward home and his sweetheart, Ada Monroe (Oscar winner Nicole Kidman, The Hours). Inman's journey takes him away from the war and towards the peace he sees can only reside at home with his love. But, standing in his way are bounty hunters, slaves, sirens and Union soldiers at every turn. Meanwhile, well-to-do Ada takes a journey of her own. While his absence cements her feelings for him, Ada fears her love for Inman may be in vain as her countless letters go unanswered. When her father dies suddenly, she must learn to take care of herself and to survive long winters, merciless lawmen and overwhelming solitude. Along the way, she forms a life-long alliance with Ruby Thewes (Renee Zellweger, Chicago), a scrappy drifter who only knows hardship and back-breaking work.
Cold Mountain is a breathtaking drama and love story starring award-winning actors, based on an award-winning book and directed by an award-winning director. Written by Charles Frazier in 1997, Cold Mountain, the novel, won the National Book Award that same year. Director, Anthony Minghella (The English Patient, The Talented Mr. Ripley) came across the book and decided to adapt it into the film now known for seven Oscar nominations including Best Supporting Actress, Best Actor, Best Cinematography and Best Score. In addition to about a thousand Romanian soldiers, the film also includes cameos by Natalie Portman (Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones), Jena Malone (Saved!), Jack White (singer of the rock band The White Stripes), Phillip Seymour Hoffman (25th Hour), Giovanni Ribisi (Lost in Translation), Donald Sutherland (The Italian Job) and more.
Cold Mountain has been released on DVD and VHS. Special features on the 2-disc collector's edition include feature commentary with the director and editor; 'Climbing Cold Mountain', a documentary; 'Words and Music of Cold Mountain', a 90-plus minute special about the music behind the movie; 'A Journey to Cold Mountain', a featurette on the making of the film; 3 storyboard comparisons and 11 deleted scenes.
Not only does this film deglamorize war and highlight its violence and brutality, Cold Mountain also takes us beyond the battlefield and into the lives of the civilians, many of them women, left behind to fend for themselves while the majority of the men fight for their cause. Rarely do you come across a film about the Civil War that is accessible to all people. Surprisingly, Cold Mountain has the ability to draw in men with its action and women with its romance. Though, the film does drag a bit at times, Zellweger makes up for it in her Oscar winning performance as the strong-willed yet humorous Ruby. In fact, all of the acting is brilliant. The above-mentioned cameos are all well executed and Kidman and Law are extremely believable as the star-crossed lovers, Ada and Inman. Shot largely in the unspoiled country of Romania, the landscape is stunningly beautiful. To top it all off, the well-crafted film is also set to a phenomenal score by Oscar-winning composer Gabriel Yared and original music performed by Sting, Elvis Costello, Jack White and many others.
Cold Mountain gives the audience a little bit of everything: action, romance, drama, even some comedy. It is a sweeping epic with big battle sequences, passionate love scenes and a haunting score. And, yes, it is worth 2 ½ hours of your time.