Cold Mountain

Civil War Odyssey

A Confederate soldier Inman (Jude Law) deserts in late 1864 to return to the mountains of western North Carolina and his one true love, Ada (Nicole Kidman). Inman experiences many different people, events and obstacles on his long journey while Ada has her own problems to deal with: death, grief, the ruthless “home guard,” starvation/poverty, and a house & farm she doesn't know how to run, that is, until the practical Ruby (Renée Zellweger) comes along.

Based on the 1997 novel by Charles Frazier, “Cold Mountain” (2003) involves two stories that ultimately intertwine and is reminiscent of Homer's Odyssey. In light of Inman's journey home, the film is episodic but, thankfully, never loses its sense of cohesion. The story shows how the war destroyed or corrupted the South on practically every level, not just the soldiers who went off to fight, die, be maimed, desert or suffer defeat, but everyone left behind as well. Every person Inman meets on his journey is somehow damaged or sullied because of the war.

For example, in the case of the family in the large cabin the husband's friendliness is dubious. All the eligible men have gone to war and those who return are maimed and scarred. Is it any wonder that the women are love-starved and try to lose themselves in drunkenness and casual sex? As for a couple scenes of overt sexuality, the book & film are contrasting drunken carnal lust with intimate committed love.These scenes are adult-oriented, so be forewarned. I should add that the “kitchen table woman” is actress Melora Walters, who played George Costanza’s date in “The Hamptons” episode of Seinfeld. Meanwhile Natalie Portman shows up for another key sequence.

Then there’s the immoral & looney "Reverend" Veasey (Philip Seymour Hoffman), who may tempt some to view the film as “anti-Christian," but this is a premature judgment in light of the entire story and particularly the ending. Not to mention likable, but shakey religionists like Veasey exist in real life.

Not everyone can handle "Cold Mountain" because of its hardcore depiction of the horrors of war, madness and immorality, but it's not all death, misery and darkness; these are commendably counterbalanced by the beauty of life, love, loyalty, companionship, poetry and music. “Cold Mountain” is an all-around well-made motion picture that cuts the fat out of the book for a more effective story.

The film runs 2 hours, 33 minutes, and was shot mostly in the Carpathian Mountains, Romania, but with some scenes done in Virginia, South Carolina, and North Carolina.

GRADE: A

First time seeing this in a long time, probably back in theaters circa 2003/2004. I remembered bits and pieces. Good performances from Nicole Kidman and Renee Zellweger while Jude Law acquitted himself well enough, however never fully bought into the romance aspects, but the horrors of the Civil War was an interesting element. The direction from Anthony Minghella was solid along with the cinematography and production design. 3.5/5

"Ada" (Nicole Kidman) lives a comfortable life on her farm with her father "Rev. Moore" (Donald Sutherland) as the American Civil War comes to a close. That's where she meets and takes a shine to "Inman" (Jude Law) who is making his way back to his Confederate troops. When the preacher dies, "Ada" finds herself having to throw the fine frills and fancies in a box and struggle to maintain the property as the winter snows set in. Luckily, along comes the savvy "Ruby" (Renée Zellweger) who agrees to stick around and help so long as both women chip in and share the load. As the women try to survive, the war concludes and "Inman" sets about retracing his steps back to North Carolina. With the conditions treacherous and the territory pretty lawless, both must face the insecurity that prevails, and that is well exemplified by the odious "Teague" (Ray Winstone) and his brutal sidekick "Junior" (Giovanni Ribisi) who are roaming the territory looking for deserters, or for those who help them out. A violent fate awaits those they meet. Anthony Mingella knits the threads of their respective adventures nicely together here, with a certain inevitability, sure, but nothing too predicable. The brutality of war, the desperation of hunger, cold and depravity as well as the more visceral human needs are all shone a light on as his journey tests both the mettle and the morality of "Inman" and of those he meets. It's probably Winstone who takes the plaudits for me here, he really does convey a palpable sense of wickedness and Zellweger also performs well as proof that women can thrive in what is meant to be a man's world. Now it is too long, and it meanders just a little labouring the point as it goes, but the action when it happens and the strongly developed characters compensate enough for that to keep it interesting and watchable.