Rating: 
Summary: A poetic tale of love, loss, and the will to survive
Review: "Cold Mountains", one of the best films of the year (it's a crime it wasn't nominated for Best Picture), is beautifully crafted, stirring, poetic tale of love, loss, and the will to survive. Directed and adapted to the screen by the wonderful Anthony Minghella and boasting a stunning cast of Jude Law, Nicole Kidman, Renee Zellweger, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Natalie Portman, Giovanni Ribisi, Jack White, Brendan Gleeson, and Donald Sutherland, this film is truly a force to be reckoned with."Cold Mountain" tells the story of Inman (Law), a carpenter working in Cold Mountain, North Carolina in 1861 when the alluring, elegant, and well-educated Ada (Kidman) and her father, Reverend Monroe (Sutherland), move to the Blue Mountains from the city. Inman and Ada, in true Hollywood fashion, are instantly taken by each other and engage in restrained flirtation, Ada's preacher father and their different social classes being the bulwark from romance. Soon the Civil War begins and the entire young male population of Cold Mountain departs in eager anticipation of glorious battle. Inman and Ada engage in one fleeting, hungry kiss before he rushes off to join the departing procession. During battle, Inman is wounded and, after reading Ada's numerous earnest letters imploring him to return to her, deserts the Confederate army and embarks upon an Odyssey-like journey back home to his true love. Meanwhile, Ada's father has died, leaving her helpless and alone on their 300 acre farm. Soon Ruby (Zellweger) arrives and offers Ada her services in exchange for food and shelter. Realizing that she simply cannot manage on her own, Ada agrees. The rest of this spellbinding film flashes back and forth between Ada, being "all that keeps Inman from sliding into some dark place" and Inman, being Ada's "last thread of courage". Though these two souls barely know each other, they both remarkably become the single thing in each others world worth living for, worth fighting for. When boiled down to it, "Cold Mountain" is simply a beautiful testament of the human soul's fierce will to survive and, as corny as it sounds, the power of love. If it weren't for their love, neither Ada nor Inman would have found the will and courage to survive after their lives had been shattered by the brutalities of war. The seamlessly intertwined music plays such a large emotional role in this film. From Gabriel Yard's haunting score to Alison Krauss' tender songs, the music in this films helps to create an absorbing atmosphere that sucks you right into the Civil War. In addition, John Seale's breathtaking cinematography complete with sweeping views of the snow-encrusted Blue Mountains makes this a film you simply must see on the big screen. This has been a very difficult review for me to write. Upon first seeing "Cold Mountain", I was pleased with the film, but definitely not as taken with it as I soon came to be. That all changed in the weeks following. I simply cannot get this film out of my head. The hope, the sacrifices, the pain, the loss, the love. It really sticks with you. It's hard to put my feelings into words and I sincerely hope that this review has given you the incentive to go see this film, and by doing so, embark upon an unforgettable journey.
Rating:
Summary: A sweeping, romantic epic
Review: "Cold Mountain," directed by Anthony Minghella, stars Jude Law as Inman, a Confederate soldier during the U.S. Civil War, and Nicole Kidman as Ada, the minister's daughter he loves and longs for when he leaves to fight. Renee Zellweger costars as Ruby, a feisty farmhand who works with Ada on the homefront. This film is a period piece that has a true epic sweep, yet never loses an intimate connection with the main characters. The production design is full of fascinating and thoughtful details that make the film a joy to watch. But it's also often harrowing and graphically violent--Minghella does not flinch at exploring the injustice and brutality of humankind towards itself. The performances are all superb. After having distinguished himself in a number of noteworthy supporting roles, Law really proves himself a great leading man here. Kidman brings both delicacy and steel to her role--a southern belle faced with daunting wartime challenges. Zellweger delivers a rich, earthy, zesty performance; she is a perfect foil for Kidman and their characters' relationship is one of the great highlights of the film. The three main actors are superbly supported by the rest of the cast. "Cold Mountain" is often quite grim and brutal, but is leavened by earthy humor and irony. Ultimately I found the film to be life-affirming. It's a love story and a war story, but regardless of genre it's a superbly crafted and genuinely moving film.
Rating: 
Summary: A Foreign Movie Feel
Review: I'm a great admirer of both British and Australian films and actors, however, this film should have had American (preferably with the proper Southern dialect) actors, not N. K. or J. L. Throughout the entire course of the movie, I felt a giggle coming on because of the awful Southern accents from the two main characters in the film. Let's be honest, N. K.'s line "Please come back to me. This is my request..." should have been a moving, pivotal point in the film. And all I could do was try to ignore the voice. It's a shame because there are many wonderful moments in the storyline and even the music...but those voices were too distracting to get completely absorbed in the film...
Rating:
Summary: War movie of the year
Review: Cold Mountain is the best war movie of the year!What a powerful cast.Oscar nominee Jude Law,Oscar winner Nicole Kidman and Renée Zellweger in her Oscar winning role as Ruby. Jude Law's character name is W.P.Inman a wounded soldier embarks on a perilous journey back to Cold Mountain. While Nicole Kidman's character is a young belle and her name is Ada Monroe.While Renée Zellwger's character:Ruby Thewes a drifter helps Ada (Nicole Kidman)survive in the Civil War.
Rating: 
Summary: Attention To Detail Makes "Cold" A Mountainous Achievement
Review: As one of the most highly anticipated films of the year, due to its long list of A-List actors involved, a much respected director, and the general subject matter, Civil War epic "Cold Mountain" paints a poignant, devastating and beautiful portrayal of one of the most turbulent times in American history. Set in the small Southern town of Cold Mountain, North Carolina, at the beginning of the Civil War, it follows the story of Ada Monroe (Nicole Kidman), the daughter of a preacher, and Inman (Jude Law), a young worker, who although are attracted to each other cannot express their feelings; only sharing a few words and a single kiss before Inman and the rest of the men in the town are sent off to fight for the Confederates. Throughout the next four years, Ada sends Inman dozens of letters of devotion and hope, telling him tales of home and praying for his safe return. Inman, who finds himself at the end of his wits while suffering through the horrors of war and after reading her letter while recovering in the hospital for a gunshot wound sustained in battle, decides to become a deserter to find his way back home to Ada. Thus, he begins a perilous journey back to Cold Mountain, not only hiding from the Yankees, but his Confederate comrades, and encountering many helpful and hindering characters along the way. For Ada back in Cold Mountain, her life seems to be falling apart as her house falls into dilapidation, and a band of lawmen terrorize the small town; putting laws into action that condemn those who are deserters or those who house them, as well as anyone else they see fit. So, it comes as a relief for Ada when spunky Ruby (Renee Zellweger) shows up at her door, with the intention of helping her with the farm and getting her life back on track. Under the direction of Anthony Minghella, who is best known for the haunting "The Talented Mr. Ripley" (also starring Jude Law) and the 1996 Best Picture "The English Patient", "Cold Mountain" succeeds in portraying a world torn by war in a devastatingly realistic fashion, not only focusing on the battles or political events that made up the war itself, but also the impact it had on those left behind. The love story of Ada and Inman has a modest beginning, yet grows until you can almost feel the raw, underlying connection between their souls and the hunger for each other protruding from the film. Jude Law is near flawless, as the young man fearing for his innocense lost, and the sheer determination he demonstrates throughout his journey in many situations can also be shown through a single glance of his dark, deep eyes. Nicole Kidman gives a slightly less thrilling performance, yet still shines as Ada, who never loses hope for Inman, and shows her character's strengths and determination in the fierce set of her jaw, and throughout the challenges she comes across. Renee Zellweger also delivers an enthralling performance as Ruby, with just the right amount of spunk, humor, and emotion, to win over the audience. The fascinating characters portrayed as Inman continues his long journey home and the rest of the supporting cast, while varying in personality, set a marvelous backdrop for a lush story rich in human emotion and immaculate attention to detail. Donald Sutherland, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Natalie Portman, Charlie Hunnam, Giovanni Ribisi, Kathy Baker, Cillian Murphy, and Jena Malone, among others, make up a splendid ensemble, with the stand out performances by Philip Seymour Hoffman as the slimy but lovable preacher and Inman's companion, and Natalie Portman as Sara, the desperately lonely housewife. As one of the most brutally realistic movies of the year, you must know what you are getting yourself into before watching "Cold Mountain". For the viewers with weak tolerances, it has more than a few scenes which will upset your stomach and tug your heartstrings. I myself found some parts hard to watch, but I was also enthralled by the visual aspects, performances, and wonderful direction of the film. Without a doubt, I believe "Cold Mountain" will do very well at the Oscars, if not in gold stauettes, than with a numerous amount of nominations, each more than deserved.
Rating:
Summary: Less Would Have Been More
Review: For me, this film would have had much greater dramatic impact had director Anthony Minghella not attempted to cover too much, or if that coverage had been in sharper focus and more cohesive. Adapted by him from Charles Frazier's novel Cold Mountain, his film examines • a Civil War South variation on Odysseus's return to Ithaca • an implausible romance between Ada Monroe (Nicole Kidman) and Inman (Jude Law) • the horrors of war which largely explain Inman's desertion (for many of the same reasons why John Dunbar flees from "civilization" in Dances with Wolves) • an estranged, indeed dysfunctional relationship between Ruby (Renee Zellweger) and her father Stobrod Thewes (Brendan Thewes) • the abusive and oppressive, at times vicious Home Guard in the Cold Mountain (NC) area under the absolute control of Teague (Ray Winstone) • Ada's severely difficult adjustment to the Civil War's impact on her and her father, as well as her struggles to keep her farm Of course, there are also several related story lines (sub plots, actually) but these six receive most of Zinghella's attention. As indicated earlier, I think he attempts to cover too much within the parameters of a commercial film, even one with a running time of 155 minutes which this one has. Ada and Inman spend almost no time together before he departs for the war. They are indeed an odd couple: she is a reticent, cultured, proper beauty (the archetypical Southern Belle) and he is also reticent, almost to the point of being mute but lacks her culture and refinement. As I observed their brief and awkward interaction in the film, there seemed to be almost no chemistry between them, perhaps because there was little chemistry between Kidman and Law. My hunch (only a hunch) is that Inman's revulsion to the horrors of war rather than his attraction to Ada explains his obsession to return "home." That is, what he flees is a much greater motivation than is what (who) awaits him. One man's opinion. All that said, I think Zellweger deserved her Academy Award for best actress in a supporting role. I also think the cinematography (John Seale) and musical score (Gabriel Yared) are especially effective. The opening sequence which includes a defining moment, indeed an epiphany for Inman, is masterfully presented. It invites comparisons with the final sequence in Glory. Cold Mountain has memorable moments and some excellent performances. For reasons indicated, however, I think the film falls short of greatness for many of the same reasons that other recent films have. (Gangs of New York, for example.) More often than not, less really can be more.
Rating: 
Summary: It's Been Done Before
Review: Having not read the book upon which this film is based, I cannot comment on how closely the script followed the source material. What I can say is that if the book was much like the movie, I'm glad I didn't read it.
The cast is studded with fine actors, especially Jude Law, a personal favorite of mine. However, "Cold Mountain" doesn't bring out the best in any of them. Law's accent falters quite a bit, and his character is emotionally flat. In all fairness, this is largely the script's fault, but that doesn't make it enjoyable. Nicole Kidman's performance is passable in the first half, but quickly devolves into extreme over-acting. Renee Zellweger's incredibly stereotypical character is over-drawn in both script and performance from her introduction.
The real problem though is the script. This movie has been made hundreds of times- usually better. The couple has a brief, shallow, and virtually passionless relationship before they are separated for years, and yet they supposedly fall madly in love with one another. Inman (Law) makes an unbelievable journey populated by stock characters and predictable adventures. The way events unfolded for him as he travels from point A to B to C, always resulting in some kind of struggle, put me more in mind of a frustrating ten-year-old video game than a masterpiece of dramatic cinema.
Characters in the film are all clearly and unequivocably divided into "good" and "bad" camps. While the "good" characters aren't very original, the "bad" ones are archetypes of comic book supervillains. They are so supremely evil they make Hitler look like Lassie. The "Home Guard" insanely decides to brutally slaughter anyone they can on the thinnest of pretexts. This is ridiculous and unrealistic. After all, everything they believed in was embodied by this small, southern hometown they were trying to protect, yet they went out of their way to destroy it. A simple sense of self-preservation against the invading Union Army would have been enough of a reason to stay their hands. The Union soldiers, briefly though they appear, aren't much better. They attempt to steal food, commit rape, and all but murder an infant on a whim. Of course these things occurred during the war, but such encounters are so common in war films that they seem hackneyed.
The final mark against "Cold Mountain" is its incredibly long running time. If a movie is good, I want it to be long. But this one was so redundant and overbearing that I couldn't wait for it to end. Inman basically has too many encounters, each one at its core the same as the last.
This movie has been widely praised by critics and many fans. Perhaps it is because the book was so well-received and lavished with awards. If so, that must be clouding the critics' judgment on this awful film.
Rating:
Summary: A sweeping, romantic epic
Review: "Cold Mountain," directed by Anthony Minghella, stars Jude Law as Inman, a Confederate soldier during the U.S. Civil War, and Nicole Kidman as Ada, the minister's daughter he loves and longs for when he leaves to fight. Renee Zellweger costars as Ruby, a feisty farmhand who works with Ada on the homefront. This film is a period piece that has a true epic sweep, yet never loses an intimate connection with the main characters. The production design is full of fascinating and thoughtful details that make the film a joy to watch. But it's also often harrowing and graphically violent--Minghella does not flinch at exploring the injustice and brutality of humankind towards itself. The performances are all superb. After having distinguished himself in a number of noteworthy supporting roles, Law really proves himself a great leading man here. Kidman brings both delicacy and steel to her role--a southern belle faced with daunting wartime challenges. Zellweger delivers a rich, earthy, zesty performance; she is a perfect foil for Kidman and their characters' relationship is one of the great highlights of the film. The three main actors are superbly supported by the rest of the cast. "Cold Mountain" is often quite grim and brutal, but is leavened by earthy humor and irony. Ultimately I found the film to be life-affirming. It's a love story and a war story, but regardless of genre it's a superbly crafted and genuinely moving film.
Rating:
Summary: If the two leads only had more chemistry...
Review: Jude Law is excellent in this film, and Nicole Kidman is good also. But they just do not click together. Their "passionate" scenes feel staged, and they are both such good actors, that most of the time it goes unnoticed. Rene Zellweger finally got her Oscar, having been passed over two years in a row for "Bridget Jone's Diary" and "Chicago." She lost the Oscar for "Chicago" to Nicole Kidman who won for "The Hours." To me, it seemed like sweet revenge to upstage a rival in every scene she has in this film. There is one other thing that recommends this film, and that is its splendid cinematography. Otherwise, the plotting feels very similar to another of Director Anthony Minghella's films, "The English Patient," only this story is set during the Civil War. Also, there are some obvious plot devices that had me shaking my head. One I remember is when Jude Law and Philip Seymor Hoffman are making their way through the wilderness when they just happen across a large, two-handled saw. Hmmmmm, I wonder if this item will come into play in a future scene? I didn't have to wait very long. There is also an over-abundance of nudity. Being a guy, this is a rare thing for me to complain about, but it just feels gratuitous here; like it's used more for shock-value than for any specific reason. Overall, this really isn't a bad film at all. Rene Zellweger shines, as does the cinematography, but all else is merely professional or sadly forgettable. Thank you.
Rating:
Summary: not just a love story
Review: I read these reviews before I saw the movie, and one reviewer mentioned that the movie was haunting. That is true, I find myself still thinking about it after several days. Several reviewers mentioned the difficulty in believing the love story because Ada and Inman "barely knew each other." That might be because the characters themselves both mention how few words have passed between them. We have no trouble believing in the "love" of other movie couples who have one scene and jump into bed, why shouldn't we believe Ada and Inman? People have clung to less to get them through trials. Anyway, this movie had so much more to say-about the friendship between women, the relationships of fathers and daughters, the kindness of strangers. And perhaps most important, the pain and destruction caused by war, no matter how necessary that war may be. And the music was incredible, I bought the soundtrack and keep listening to it. Do yourself a favor and watch this movie.
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