Epic film-making of the highest caliber

Rating: 9/10 (19 October 2004)

As the dust clears and the rumor mills are finally silenced, it is time to acknowledge Anthony Minghella's Cold Mountain in a separate light from the tiresome and repeated scandals that surrounded its production. The film finally surfaces on both sides of the Atlantic conveniently in time for Oscar consideration, and the nods of recognition from the Academy must surely follow will be richly deserved. This is a wonderful movie, executed to perfection in both performance and direction and a fine example of epic film-making of the highest caliber.
The narrative tells the story of a man known simply as Inman, played by Jude Law, who deserts his position at the front of the American Civil War in order to return to Nicole Kidman's Ada, his true love who stayed behind. The story splits its concern between the two characters as Inman continues his odyssey across war torn America and Ada undergoes a transformation of her own. Both Law and Kidman are excellent in their roles but the real revelation here is Renee Zellweger, whose performance breathes new life into the movie whenever it shows signs of flagging.
It is a good job that the central figures do perform to the highest of their ability because the film is so packed with talent, any weak showing would be quickly overshadowed. It is hard to recall in recent times a movie that employs so many actors at the top of their game, even when playing cameo roles. Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Giovanni Ribisi and especially Natalie Portman all threaten to steal the scenes they share with a bewildered but single minded Inman.
Complaints are few and minor, with the only major misjudgment occurring in an ill conceived and distastefully executed whore house scene. Some viewers may also find it hard to empathise with a romantic pairing that is given so little screen time to develop, and it is true that Inman and Ada develop very strong feelings in a short space of time. It is as Inman's hand that the explanation for this is found though as he clutches a photograph of Ada throughout. When war changes the world perspective around him, one image and one glimpse is all the motivation he needs.
Cold Mountain is a riveting film that remains brutally true to its source material, and though this does make for a rather relentlessly bleak experience, it is refreshing to witness a director fully in control of his craft. Minghella has produced one of the best films of the year, an achievement that deserves to be assessed apart from its accompanying gossip.