Miramax Films’ adaptation of the Charles Frazier novel “Cold Mountain” opened Christmas day to sales of $4.5 million beaten only by “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King” and “Cheaper by the Dozen.”
The opening recreation of the Civil War siege at Petersburg, Va. might make one think they are in for an action movie but the film quickly flashes to a quieter time back at Cold Mountain, N.C. This is short- lived, though, as the movie goes from past to present and back again, skipping from one location to another and from one plot idea to the next.
The main story is centered on the characters of Inman (Jude Law) and Ada Monroe (Nicole Kidman). After quickly falling in love, Inman goes to war fighting for the Confederate Army while Ada awaits diligently for her love to return. It is a story of unbelievable dedication and devotion between these two characters, who actually know very little of each other.
Secondary story lines focus on Inman’s many misadventures, along his return to Ada’s side and Ada’s quest for survival.
Inman meets many characters along his journey. Some of them help him, but most make his travels more interesting to say the least. Some of the more notable characters he meets are a lecherous reverend (Philip Seymour Hoffman), a lonely war widow (Natalie Portman), and a backstabbing local named Junior (Giovanni Ribisi).
Ada is having great difficulty when Renée Zellweger enters as Ruby Thewes, adding a much-needed comedy relief to a film filled with death and destruction.
Most of the film was shot in Romania adding to the realism of the picture. Anthony Minghella, who directed the film, felt the Romanian terrain was a perfect match for the period’s North Carolina country side. Scenes were also shot in the United States, including various locations such as South Carolina and Virginia.
Although the movie lags at times, leaving the viewer longing for the end, it is entertaining overall. The film has a little for everyone; it has action; it has a love story; it has dramatic life struggles.
The running time of 155 minutes is a close second to “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King” at 210 minutes, so one may consider purchasing a larger drink.
