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Rating: 7/10 (11 January 2004)

Even though this is one of the better looking films of the year its still a disappointment when you think of the main part of the story that involves the two main roles. Story is about a man named Inman (Jude Law) that lives in a small southern town called Cold Mountain and the Civil War is only days away from starting. Inman meets Ada Monroe (Nicole Kidman) who is the daughter of Reverend Monroe (Donald Sutherland) and once they lock eyes a flirtatious relationship begins. The two of them say almost nothing to each other but after war is declared and Inman is putting on his uniform he kisses Ada before he marches off. While at the front lines the Yankee Army dig tunnels and plant explosives underneath the Confederates and this is the start of a very bloody battle where countless lives are lost on both sides. Inman is wounded and while recovering in a makeshift medical facility he decides that he doesn't care about "The Cause" and deserts from the Army and plans on walking back to Cold Mountain and to Ada.
*****SPOILER ALERT*****
Back at Cold Mountain the Reverend Monroe dies and leaves Ada alone on the farm to tend for herself which she is not equipped to do. A local man named Teague (Ray Winstone) has his eyes on Ada's property and Ada herself and along with his band of thugs they execute Army deserters and torture and kill anyone that aids them. One of Ada's neighbors decides to get her help so one day the rough and tumble Ruby Thewes (Renee Zellweger) shows up and she helps her take care of the farm. During they're time together Ada and Ruby develop a strong friendship even though they appear to be total opposites. Ada keeps telling her that Inman will return one day even though she hasn't heard from him in years. While on the road Inman meets several people that either help him or try to arrest him and kill him. He meets a lecherous preacher named Veasey (Philip Seymour Hoffman), A grinning hillbilly (Giovanni Ribisi) with a house of sirens, an old woman named Maddy (Eileen Atkins) who lives in the forest with goats, and a young widow (Natalie Portman) who has a sick baby but yearns for the touch of another kind person. Both Ada and Inman spend the next 3 years or so going through all sorts of turmoil until Inman finally makes it back to Cold Mountain where they are united.
This film was directed by Anthony Minghella who makes films in the most beautiful locations. This film is suppose to be in the South but is actually filmed in the lush forests of Romania and even though some of the scenes don't look like the South the scenery is still rich and gives the film a unique and remote look. The battle scene that takes place in the first part of the film is as barbaric as it is impressive. When the explosion goes off we actually see soldiers getting their uniforms blown off. Its a scene that film historians will be discussing at great lengths and its probably the best reason to view this film. With that, this film does have a glaring flaw that is evident from the first 10 minutes. Kidman and Law are practically strangers when he goes off to war and the supposedly love angle just doesn't come off. I wasn't sure why Kidman's character even gave Inman a second look. She's educated and proper and he's...well, he mumbles with nails in his mouth. Both Law and Kidman come off as strong but dull. What saves the film (For me, anyway) are the supporting performances that are all vividly shown and Zellweger steals the entire film. It's not that her performance is believable but it is impossible to take your eyes off her when she's with Kidman who stands around looking like a deer caught in the headlights. Zellweger's Ruby is a cross between Annie Oakley and Pippi Longstocking and she chews the scenery with gusto. While the story definitely has its share of flaws its still quite impressive looking and I believe this film is more about the journey than what its suppose to lead to. Minghella has shown once again that he knows how to tell stories on an epic scale and this is a well crafted film from start to finish.