Great Adaptation of a Fantastic Book

Rating: Null/10 (11 December 2003)

I was present at a preview screening in New York this week. Having read this fantastic book, I was a bit nervous that the film would fail to capture the horrors of the Civil War and the wrenching details and ramifications of the war to our county that the author captured so well in his novel. I felt certain that due to the time constraints of a movie, the plot would be butchered and watered down. To my surprise, Mingella has brillantly condensed the story (still leaving in all the major story factors) as well as expanded and created additional scenes. The most notable addition is the epic battle scene that opens the film, which is not present in the novel. However this scene immediately sets the tone of the brutality and the intimacy of the violence in this war. The actors all give wonderful naturalistic performances and Mingella really manages to recreate the period in such completeness that it is as though you are eavesdropping on history. Jude Law gives a complex and moving performance speaking few lines, but speaking volumes with his eyes. Nicole Kidman, (who manages to look beautiful and clean throughout, I would have appreciated at least one scene when she looked just slightly dirty) gives a restrained and intense performance. Her accent tended to veer off from the southern dialect, but the chemistry between both her and Jude Law and Renee Zellweger was wonderful. Phillip Seymour Hoffman practically steals all of his scenes for some much needed humor to this dark story. Renee Zellweger is a bit over the top, but had a very effecting transformation as the story progressed. The other supporting performances (especially Kathy Baker) are fantastic and the soundtrack wonderfully captures the flavor of the time and, unlike so many soundtracks is not a distraction. This movie is definately one of the best of the year, with a story that should engage both men and women. I highly recommend this film.