Nice!

Rating: 9/10 (24 January 2004)

Anthony Minghella (Truly, Madly Deeply, The English Patient) always interests me. The movie is the life journey of Inman returning home to the woman he loves, played by the extremely young looking and talented, Judy Law (The Talented Mr. Ripley, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil). I paralleled his return to `Ada' played by Nicole Kidman (The Hours, The Others ) as most people's life. Inman's life journey is told in a fashion of a person returning home, in a sense like we all are, in a journey back to the unknown, and to the woman he loves. His life's journey is full of struggles and temptations, but more than anything a very humbly experience. He becomes a deserter and is very much persecuted because of it. Now comes Renee Zellweger as `Ruby Thewes' (`One True Thing,' `Bridget Jones Diary' and the much anticipated, `Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason.' She is an actress I absolutely adore, with that super fast southern accent, and full of bravery very upfront, making everyone laugh. Just when you think things are pretty bad. Watching Renee work is worth the ticket price. She DESERVES Golden Globes, and Oscar and whatever other statuettes they are handing out this year. So please, members of whatever vote for RENEE!!!!!!! Please! I liked the other characters especially, the N.Y.U. graduate Phillip Seymour (Twister ) Hoffman `Veasey'. He is always playing those disturbed people and entertaining people. I look at him now and start laughing. Just like when I look at Jack Nicholson (`Something's Gotta Give,' `As Good as it Gets') I just crack up! I view this movie as the Inman's life journey of, regardless of where he is heading. It is his complete journey. Along with `Glory,' ` The Love Letter' with Campbell Scott and Jennifer Jason Leigh, Cold Mountain will stand as of my favorite movies about the Civil War.
The scenery is beautiful, the photography outstanding, loved the music. My favorite and most funny lines came from Ruby and Veasey. Favorite Line: Ruby: `They call this war a cloud over the land. But they made the weather and then they stand in the rain and say 'S--- its raining.'