Two Words: Anthony Minghella

Rating: 8/10 (24 September 2005)

I want to talk about Anthony Minghella, a British director, and his influence and impact on American cinema. He is one of the most awarded directors of our time, and has done films that will be classics years from now or already are (now I know that I must see "The English Patient"). But personally, it took one screening of "Cold Mountain" so I could realize all his qualities as a director.
First of all; perfect management of the actors. Jude Law is the finest example for this, if we explain that his two Oscar nominations as an actor were earned for his work in two of Minghella's pieces. Once in an interview, the director said: "When I saw Jude Law, I didn't feel he was right for the role. I liked him, but he wasn't what I was looking for. But then, when I pictured Dickie, I couldn't imagine any face but his, so I called him". And he was right, and Law's performance was great; so was Matt Damon's, and the portrayals of the whole cast. You'll never be disappointed in terms of cast when you watch an Anthony Minghella film.
This is why the man has no problem in getting the best people on the industry, if only for a few minutes appearance. I'm surprised this cast didn't even get nominated for Best Ensemble in the SAG Awards. In the course of the story, we get to meet lots of wonderful characters, played sometimes for two minutes by names like Jena Malone, Cillian Murphy, Giovanni Ribisi; and larger parts by names like Natalie Portman, Kathy Baker, Donald Sutherland, Brendan Gleeson and Ray Winstone (are you reading these names?), where Gleeson clearly stands out.
Continuing with actors, what I most enjoyed was when Law's character meets the great Phillip Seymour Hoffman's character, and Nicole Kidman's meets Renée Zellweger's respectively. I enjoyed it because it was amazing to see the scenes changing and watching stars of the caliber of Law and Kidman, each of them on their own, alongside the other two, not big stars, but actors I respect and like more watching on screen. I compared the talents because Hoffman is, well, a master in acting.
And topic apart, Zellweger had made clear since "Jerry Maguire" that she urged for a deserved Oscar. Although she should have won it one or two years ago, her award for her portrayal of Ruby Thewes is more than well earned. A lot of power as always; in her words, in her looks, in her way of standingShe's so confident about what she does and that makes her perfect. At last!
Then I can't forget the main stars. I don't really respect Nicole Kidman, but I pretend to accept her because she is considered an excellent actress by a ninety percent of the people. I can realize she changes a lot between performances. Changes everything, but forgets some very important details I will explain when I write about another of her movies; because her performance here is good, and helps the picture a lot. One thing I'll say; I keep on examining her beauty in all of her films, and I'll tell a friend of mine, again: She's not more beautiful than Katie Holmes.
I didn't mention before, but I thought it was understood: this is Jude Law's best performance. Every part of his performance is understood too; this was a challenge (a big one) for the actor. I'd like to compare it with Adrien Brody's in "The Pianist". When a character suffers the changes these both characters suffer, it needs to be expressed by the actor. Brody, I've said before, seemed inexpressive in his film, with all the beard and hair in his ruined moment. With the same beard and a lot of hair, Law excels in showing he's ruined, this becomes noticeable in the way he introduces himself to people, the way he talks to them; and that's the strength and brilliance in Law's work here.
From the way Law talks, we go to the screenplay, adapted by Mighella from a novel, as he did in some of his previous works. There are no hero intentions in this tale, no false words, no impossible love story. Everything is close to reality, which makes the piece a lot more powerful. In one scene, when an old lady is helping Inman (Law), she asks him: "Why are you going to Cold Mountain?", and he answers, almost crying: "To find a womanAnd I barely even know her". It's all very convincing; every moment.
Going back to the main point; in the sceneries, the breathtaking war scenes and everything achieved by Minghella, show the committed director he is, and how he deserved and Oscar nod with this feature. He carried on a story that talks not just about love, but about several life aspects; and a very powerful work in every sense. With a constant melancholic tone, directed by Nicole Kidman's voice, that, even in the ending, talks about good positive things, but the music and the environment of the movie makes us think negative. I believe that's something terrifying but somehow fantastic at the same time.