A sweeping, ravishing film.

Rating: 6/10 (20 February 2004)

I don't understand the criticism that COLD MOUNTAIN is getting. It is a heartfelt, lavish epic with an unabashedly romantic and beautiful heart. And, just as in small-scale and independent dramas, the characters are always the most important thing.
Jude Law is excellent as Inman, a wounded soldier who drops everything to journey back to the woman he fell in love with. Despite what others say, Nicole Kidman is absolutely wonderful as Ada Monroe. Her transformation from delicate Southern belle to strong survivor is notably strong.
Renee Zellweger steals the film with her plucky and sassy Ruby Thewes. Zellweger avoids cliche by showing commitment and giving her character real emotion... thus making the audience fall in love with her.
Natalie Portman is also great as a young, suffering mother named Sara. Portman is so good in this, that I actually forgave her for those garbage STAR WARS flicks.
Anthony Minghella (whose TALENTED MR. RIPLEY was one of the best films of 1999) once again gives his keen eye, tight writing skills, and literary sensibility to a near-flawless masterpiece, and I think it is disturbing that his work was blatantly ignored by the Academy.
Don't fight it, don't look for things to nitpick about. Just watch it. This is truly one of the best films of the year.