A starkly beautiful film of great emotional impact

Rating: 7/10 (23 December 2003)

Nicole Kidman and Jude Law are two of the most beautiful people on the planet, so it shouldn't be difficult to understand why many critics are praising this film. Watching the emotions play upon their nearly perfect features is mesmerizing. Did any Confederate soldier really have teeth this good? Impressive performances by both leads (particularly Kidman's range) and a stellar cast bring this Civil War tragedy to a higher level. Brendan Gleeson and Philip Hoffman are wonderful. Natalie Portman is so convincing and heart-wrenching that one has to wonder what narcotics George Lucas had her on in Star Wars Episodes I and II. I will say that the opening battle scene was a huge disappointment. The choppy cuts and camera movement meant to give the documentary feel doesn't work here. The reason it worked so well in Spielberg's WWII era films ("Saving Private Ryan" and "Schindler's List") is because there were actual gun cameras, footage of combat and newsreel documentary footage as a frame of reference. The film feels gritty and authentic in all other respects. Excellent suspense is maintained up through the rewarding and mature climax.