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Cold
Mountain is a film worthy of the top-notch actors who appear in it. It's a very
well-written movie. When watching it, you feel as if you've stepped back in
time.
The film takes place during the Civil War era. A young woman, Ada
(Nicole Kidman), moves to town with her father (Donald Sutherland). Ada is a beautiful
girl who attracts the attention of several of the young men in the small rural town. One
in particular—Inman (Jude Law)—attracts her attention. But the able-bodied men of the
town are called in to fight for the South—and just as Inman is leaving to fight, he and
Ada share a kiss. Just one.
While they’re apart, both the lovers think
about each other. During the course of the war, Ada loses her father and her money and
is in dire straits until a young country woman (played by Renee Zellweger) comes to her
rescue. Meanwhile, Inman deserts his fellow southern fighters and starts an event-filled
journey back to find Ada, not knowing if she has married, moved, or has died.
Cold Mountain starts a little slow (which was apparent when others
in the theater started asking their friends what’s happening and why)—but when more of
the story is told, you start to understand more of what’s happening and why, and you
become riveted.
The story is good, and the flashbacks are done well. The
scenery was breathtaking, the special effects in the battle scene were amazing, and the
acting…superb. In fact, I found the acting from all of the actors—from the
big-name stars to the bit players—very enjoyable.
There were however,
some parts of the movie that I found unbelievable. For instance, Nicole Kidman is
unbelievable as a “Southern Belle.” Very distracting. Her acting is good, her accent, not
so good.
On the bright side, however, was Renee Zellweger’s portrayal of
Ruby, a poor, southern woman who comes in to help Ada. She is perfect for this role. Her
acting and accent are totally believable—and she carried the movie. I found myself caring
more about what happened to her character than to Ada and Inman. She’s funny, witty, and
very true to the way it would have been in that era.
I wouldn't take
your children to it because of a couple of sexual scenes—and because of Nicole’s nude
scene, which I found to be totally unnecessary. But all in all, Cold Mountain is
a good film for adults, and it’s worth the price of admission.
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