First it was "Gone With The Wind" for the love story, then "Glory" for the stark and graphic battle scenes, then "Gettysburg" for the history and the strategies of the terrible Civil War.
Now, it is "Cold Mountain" for a magnificent, yet bitter sweet-taste of all three—in large tablespoon doses and never in small drips from an eyedropper.
In this rapid-moving cinematic tribute to the best-selling novel, war—"the storm clouds and rain created by men"—turns love at first sight into a young Southern man’s first flight into the hell of the Civil War.
Virtually overnight, W.P. Inman (he drops the detested "W.P." at first blush) has fallen for and given his heart to Ada Monroe, the prim, proper and sophisticated daughter of The Reverend Monroe, just arrived in Cold Mountain from Charleston, North Carolina.
Star-crossed they are, but undying in their love—a love that will transcend the pain and suffering that they are about to endure.
Whoa, hoss, we’re moving too fast right now, like a fuse on a powder keg.
If "Cold Mountain" illustrates one major point it is that young men seek wars to fight and old veterans who survive the fighting give thanks and pray for no more wars. If enough people took that message home from all the movies and books that have preached the same thing, maybe there would be peace.
Inman is young, proud of his heritage and not afraid to defend his beliefs, even to the point of separation from Ada. She will wait for him. That belief and trust sends him marching away, sustains him in raging battles, and gives him strength for the terrible trek back to her.
How will Ada survive? She knows music, literature, etiquette, and everything not having to do with milking, plowing, growing crops or heaven forbid, cooking.
God sends her Ruby Thewes, or so it seems. Out of nowhere comes the strong, defiant, outspoken Ruby—rough as a corncob and just as mean as she needs to be, depending upon the occasion. Survival for Ada without Inman at home has become a possibility, but it will take some hard swallowing of pride from both of these gems.
Will Ada’s proper, logical protocol and Ruby’s cold, hard common sense clash indefinitely or will they muster up enough cooperation to make a successful go of it? Trust me, you’ll want to be there right up until the end to find out.
"Cold Mountain" will win many awards.
An opening battle scene is indescribable, right up there with "Henry V", "Saving Private Ryan" and any other bloody and brutal battle scene that ever took your breathe away and tore out your heart. Fair warning. Be prepared. It is real, unbelievable mayhem, with little left to the imagination.
You will thank your stars for the few, yet wonderful light moments, without which, C.P.R. techs and defibrillators would have been the order of the day in the theatre lobby.
Renee’ Zellweger plays the inimitable Ruby, a salt-of-the-earth heroine with a heart of gold and a crass, crusty mouth that sounds twice as big as her heart, but don’t let that fool you. If you don’t want to know the whole truth or exactly what’s on her mind, stay away. There should be a huge neon sign on her forehead—"Coming Through!" Zellweger’s performance is Oscar-worthy.
Nicole Kidman is the perfect Ada. She is not, I repeat, not a re-incarnated Scarlet O’Hara, thank goodness, and that will be to her eternal credit. Ada is Ada and the real Nicole will be long remembered for that character. Make that two Oscars.
Jude Law is the tall, handsome and loyal Inman, the love of Ada’s life. Law lets Inman be human, vulnerability and all, while keeping his promises to Ada. War is hell, especially for those in love. It is Law’s best performance to date, even better than "Enemies At The Gate" or "Road To Perdition".
Flawless scenes and dialogue, a generous and talented supporting cast, combined with a beautiful and extravagant soundtrack—all contribute to "Cold Mountain"—one of the best ever love and war epics.
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