cold mountain

Rating: 9/10 (3 June 2006)

Anthony Mingella has captured the reality and feeling during the civil war. Although i have never read the book, i enjoyed watching the film. It made me think from the characters point of view and what it would have felt like for them,and what they would have felt.
An effect which really caught my eye was how the first hour of the film was set in flashback. The dramatic change from violence in battle scenes to peace and tranquility back in cold moutain had an amazing effect on me and really caught my eye. It's as if Inman (jude law) is fighting on and on then thinking back on how life was before the war and each flashback holds more regret that Inman had signed up for the war in the first place.
One thing that isn't so good about this film is that it drags on in places and is really a bit to long. People don't want to sit and watch a film for 2 and a half hour straight. As a 14 year old, i am not one to sit and concentrate on a certain subject for as long as 2 and a half hours. After about an hour and a half i begin to get bored and cold mountain is a film that needs full concentration right the way through.
When ruby (renee zellweger) is entered into the film, it all of a sudden becomes more interesting and exciting. She manages to keep the film on a top level as she is entertaining. With renee zellweger, cold mountain would be slightly boring and highly stereotypical. I am a huge fan of renee and believe cold mountain is one of the best pieces of work she has done. Well done renee!!!!!!! Nicole Kidman plays the part of Ada very well. She is consistent through out and her acting typically fits her costume. Despite this, the chemistry between her and Inman (jude law) could have been much stronger. It seems a bit unreal that somebody would wait for four years to see the person they don't even know and only saw a few times and kissed once.
Overall i think this film has been wonderfully casted and directed. Despite all of the bad things i have pointed out on this review, it is expected to be mistakes in a film on this subject. It was on of the most critical moments in American history. If somebody gave you the book of cold mountain and said " Read this book and make a film on it. " Would you be able to make a film anywhere near the quality that Anthony Mingella has produced? It was a big ask for him and therefore i believe he has done a fantastic job.