A rare film where the movie is better if you've read the book ...

Rating: 9/10 (31 July 2004)

Rarely is a movie improved by having read the book. Usually, whatever they do with the movie will be a disappointment if you loved the book. I love the book "Cold Mountain" and have read it at least 4 times. I think that it speaks to the horror of war, the wickedness of which the human species is capable, and the futility of the bloodshed better than any other book I've read.
I think the movie captures those feelings very well indeed. I hope I am quoting this correctly (but I'm close, anyway) -- when Inman says that he is like any other fool "going off to war with a lie and a flag" ... well, yeah. A lie and a flag. That IS what war is, for the most part. The battle scenes at the beginning of the film, according to those who have been witness to real battles in war, are as good or better than any battle scenes ever filmed.
The story is, of necessity, simplified for the purposes of the film and that's where it helped to have read the book. My husband and I were able to mentally fill in "missing pieces." I found that among my friends who saw the movie, those who did not first read the book thought it was okay, but didn't love it, whereas those of us who had first read the book, really LOVED the movie.
I also felt the casting was exceptional and that Renee Zellweger well deserved her Oscar. When I realized that she had been cast as Ruby, I was highly dubious ... but she made it work. Jude Law, who is not usually cast as a leading man, gives a super performance, for which he has received surprisingly little recognition.
Finally, if you love classic "old timey" country music, the score for this film is beautiful. As is the cinematography.
This is not an upbeat movie, but it wasn't an upbeat book, either. The adaptation is deeply faithful to the author's intent. It's definitely worth watching ... maybe more than once. But also, perhaps it would be worthwhile to read the book first. Great book. Fine adaptation.