It's that time of year when thoughts start to turn towards the Oscars with the years last contenders being released by the studios. There is no more aggressive studio at campaigning for Oscar success than Miramax, and this year their hopes are pinned on Cold Mountain, an historical drama based on the book of the same name by Charles Frazier. Directed by Anthony Minghella, previously a winner with The English Patient, and starring Nicole Kidman, another previous winner, it's a film that would seem to have the right pedigree for Oscar success, but which ultimately fails as a work of successful storytelling, despite having many things going for it along the way. ...  Read the complete review

This movie is probably best described as a war epic, but is also largely a drama, and mainly a love story. Plot- Inman (Jude Law) is fighting on the confederate side in the American Civil War. Back home, he has left Ada (Nicole Kidman) waiting for his return. When he recieves a ltter from her begging him to return to her, he must travel far across war torn America to meet her once again. As Ada meets the strong willed Ruby (Renee Zellweger) back home in Cold Mountain, Inman comes across an amazing array of characters and situations that lie in his path to Ada. This is a genuinly good epic war movie, which is really in two halves. You have Ada ...  Read the complete review

Directed by Anthony Minghella, who also directed 'The English patient' (1996), this film tells the story of a love which conquers all during the American civil war. The film opens with Inman, who is played by Jude Law, fighting at the front line. These opening scenes graphically display the horrors of war in gruesome detail. So much so that I almost skipped this scene. We then learn of Inman and Ada's relationship as the film goes back in time to show their awkward first meeting and early relationship. In my opinion, Jude Law and Nicole Kidman (Ada) are clearly fatasic actors but they seem to lack on screen chemistry making the characters' relationship seem ...  Read the complete review

Anthony Minghella had directed films like “The talented Mr Ripley” “The English Patient” and “Truly Madly Deeply”. Some classy movies – and love and war, are themes he’s definitely tackled before. “Cold Mountain” is an adaptation of Charles Frazier’s best-selling novel, and it’s an epic tale of the American Civil War. There are some realistically bloody and muddy (as well as very harrowing to watch) scenes on the battlefield, at the beginning of the movie. All of which is reminds us the horror of war – and that’s as relevant for today’s generation as it would have been for the audience of, say, “Gone with the wind”. Inman is from a little town in ...  Read the complete review

Visually this is an impressive film however I found it much too hard going to find it enjoyable and therefore it is one I'm hesitant to recommend as youu either have to be a real film buff or be very much into the storyline for it to be a truly enjoyable viewing experience. It is a romance story set at the time of the American Civil War, Jude Law stars as a soldies with the Confederate army who deserts to return to see the love of his life played by Nicole Kidman. She is facing her own trials as the local town is being oppressed by a local villain who finds himself in charge and has a penchant for toture and tracking down those that flee the army. Meanwhile ...  Read the complete review