Anthony Minghella's COLD MOUNTAIN is a victim of Miramax's reputation for manipulating the Hollywood awards season. For the past year, even before Minghella was done filming, everyone knew this would be Harvey Weinstein's Oscar horse no matter how good it actually was. Naturally, this makes many people hate the film before they've seen it.

Now, I'm not suggesting COLD MOUNTAIN is a great film -- it's not -- but it's a heck of a lot better than some folks would have you believe, and there's no denying it's expertly crafted. As he demonstrated in his multi-award-winning hit THE ENGLISH PATIENT, as well as the highly underrated THE TALENTED MR. RIPLEY, Minghella is one of the best when it comes to making a movie feel like a beautiful painting come to life, without sacrificing the story's darker side. His latest attempt is no exception, as he captures the aura of the South during the Civil War in a way that draws you in and makes you feel like you're a part of it.


The biggest complaint I've heard about both the film and Charles Frazier's book is that Inman (Jude Law) and Ada (Nicole Kidman) spend so little time together, yet they're supposed to be pining away for each other over a period of four years. For me, this wasn't a problem at all, and I actually admire the decision to not give them more shared screen-time, which probably would have felt like a desperate attempt to convince us they're in love. You see, I don't think they need to be in love for the story to work. Inman and Ada certainly have feelings for one another, demonstrated by a single passionate kiss and a few awkward moments, but the point is that when the war breaks out they both have something to hold onto and look forward to. Each serves as the other's object of hope, which is more important under certain circumstances than what's real.

While you're most likely to remember the comedic moments centered around Renee Zellweger's character, Ruby (I'll admit, she won me over despite my apprehensions), Jude Law is the one who holds the film together. His performance is very understated, with a flawless and steady Southern accent, although the role lacks those pandering "Oscar" moments that voters seem to require in order to give an actor recognition. Natalie Portman is also excellent in a cameo performance (I'm so used to seeing her recite George Lucas dialogue I forgot she could act), conveying the pain and desperation of the Southern women left behind. In fact, for me this was the thematic core of the entire movie (reinforced by Ada, who is reduced to accepting handouts), as we rarely think of the ramifications of war on those who aren't directly involved.

Posted December 28, 2003 | link