Thinly Disguised Chick Flick

Rating: 5/10 (2 January 2004)

Despite the ads showing the Battle of the Crater, anything looking like the Civil War only appears in the first few minutes of the film. The rest of this depressing film has the feel of a western. The plot is episodic, with Inman drifting from one encounter with a colorful character (more colorful than him) to another. None of these encounters propel the plot or change him. Meanwhile, the perpetually glamorous Ada, looking like nothing from the 1860's, is given a lesson in how to survive by Ruby. Aside from feminist feel-good, what does this have to do with the theme of waiting for Inman? Speaking of which, there's no explanation of why the two are so intent on reestablishing a relationship based on one kiss. Is she a beacon of comfort for a brutalized war veteran? Is he the only eligible batchelor in the back woods? The movie doesn't address motives aside from a patently ridiculous romantic obsession. And then there's the villains. The Home Guard seems to enjoy killing every stranger they find. Why? What's in it for them? The movie is handsome, it seems to have a grand theme, whatever it may be, and looks like a serious, major film. Problem is, the movie isn't really about anything other than two people getting back together. The grander themes of the Civil War, such as liberty or self-determination, don't play into it. In fact, if it weren't for the occasional grossly brutal scene, it would be boring. What was Minghella thinking?