Short and Simple Review by WubsTheFadgerFirst off, the film delivers a story that is profoundly powerful and heartbreaking. It shows us the needlessness of The Civil War and how it destroyed innocence and purity. The film shows us the drive and power of love and how it can overcome the greatest of odds. The ending is powerful and touching in so many ways.The acting is amazing. Jude Law delivers a stunning performance as a man who overcomes the greatest of odds. Nicole Kidman and Renee Zellweger also perform very well. Brendan Gleeson, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Giovanni Ribisi, Donald Sutherland, Ray Winstone, Kathy Baker, James Gammon, Charlie Hunnam, Jack White, and Cillian Murphy all add so much to the story and the devastation of the Civil War. Natalie Portman's performance really hit home for me. She plays a woman who has lost everything and just wants hope. She is broken and torn. Her performance was stunning.The pacing is a little slow, but I was completely engaged throughout the entire movie. The runtime is a little overlong.Pros: Powerful and heartbreaking story, touching ending, amazing acting, Jude Law's performance, Natalie Portman and her powerful acting, and a great message about loss, love, and warCons: Some slow pacing and an overlong runtimeOverall Rating: 8.4

Cold Mountain touches all of the social issues that occured at the end of the Civil War leading into the era of Reconstruction. Ada (Nicole Kidman) falls in love with a shy man Inman (Jude Law). Inman gets sent off into the war, as a Confederate soldier, where the whole thing explodes, and leds him on a journey to find his one true love Ada back at Cold Mountain. Inman faces a perilous journey where he is captured, held at gunpoint, as well as dealing with prostitutes and the homes guardsmen of the South. The movie starts out very strong with the Battle of Petersburg, but quickly fades and slows down leaving audiences bored. However, director Anthony Minghella did display a work that was very unique regarding a Civil War film. Technically, this film is very pleasing. Minghella captured correct lighting to show the emotions of the era, and particular characters, yet did not cast properly. Renee Zellweger's character of Ruby was the only believable character in the film, when it came to the "look" and accent. Overall the film was good, but just couldn't live up to the greatest Civil War romance movie of all time; Gone With the Wind.

Cold Mountain (2003): Dir: Anthony Minghella / Cast: Jude Law, Nicole Kidman, Renee Zellweger, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Natalie Portman: Provocative drama about distant affection and the peaks that are not as high as they seem. Set in mid 1800's Jude Law fought in the civil war and suffered injury but he reflects upon the woman awaiting his arrival at Cold Mountain. She is played by Nicole Kidman and she is the daughter of a minister whose lifestyle changes after his passing. This subplot is interesting but Law's trek across country is littered with pointless subplots that greatly weaken his necessity. This climaxes with a simplistic gunfight and shed tears that viewers likely won't fall for. Directed by Anthony Minghella who made a superior film called The English Patient. Here he is backed with fine production. While Law's role becomes greatly expendable, Kidman slowly becomes a woman when a ragged Renee Zellweger appears. They have a fine chemistry as Kidman gets her hands dirty and Zellweger gets her hands dirtier. Among cameos are Phillip Seymour Hoffman as a sleazy minister who steals his moments with humour and found guilty of a crime for which he meets consequences. Natalie Portman has a pointless role as a woman raising an infant son, and whom Law assists in a crucial moment. Theme of emotional endurance is evident in our cold society. Score: 6 ½ / 10

A romanticized civil war film with a fantastic cast and a heartfelt story. The length of the film might run a little long for some, but I enjoyed all of it. The scenery was stunning and it has turned out to be one of my most favorite films. I absolutely adore Renee Zellweger in this film and find it chillingly haunting. A sadly beautiful ending, this movie will stay with me for a very long time. The length of the film might run a little long for some, but I enjoyed all of it. Why was this not nominated for 2003 Best Picture? Obviously The Return of the King was superior than any other film during that year, but Cold Mountain is definitely a better film than both Master and Commander, and Seabiscuit, which were both Best Picture nominees. This truly is a great film. I recommend it!