Law Soars, Kidman miscast.

Rating: 7/10 (19 January 2004)

WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD! The main aspect of "Cold Mountain" that resonates with me is
Jude Law's haunting performance. For most of the film, Law is
required to act with just his face and he conveys much complex
emotion and turmoil within his eyes. I was again reminded of what
a truly splendid actor Mr. Law is. It's so easy to get caught up in his
equally splendid beauty and forget that he is certainly one of the
top five best young actors of today. The only problem is that there
is absolutely ZERO chemistry between Law and Nicole Kidman,
which makes the film's central love story fall flat on it's face.
Kidman is fine--she's pretty much on auto pilot, which, even for
her, is far more compelling than most of her contemporaries. But,
it's impossible to believe her agony and struggle over the man she
loves, when you aren't convinced she actually loves him. Plus,
she's too old for the role. Natalie Portman would have made a
more believable virginal daughter of a minister (in fact, Portman
contributes a compelling cameo). Law is on the borderline of
being too old as well, but he can pass for a man in his
late-twenties. Also, to nit pick--how could starving, unwashed
people from the 1860's have such perfect white teeth? Every time
Law smiles through his bearded dirty visage and flashed those
pearly whites, I just thought of modern dentistry. At least knock the
color down a shade or two. In the cameo department (which
comes close to a "Love Boat" episode), Phillip Seymour Hoffman
is exquisite--deserves an Oscar nod as usual; Zellweger
continues to proves herself and steals every scene from Kidman;
and, once you get use to the bad wig, Charlie Hunnam is
surprisingly up for his deliciously evil role. This boy may have
some range. The cinematography is gorgeous and the art
direction is spot on. Overall, the film is enjoyable and offers some
great performances. But it is the miscasting of Kidman that keeps
the film from truly soaring. I say this as a huge fan of Ms. Kidman's
work, who I think deserved the Oscar for Moulin Rouge, and a nod
for "Too Die For."