Literary adaptations on the silver screen are always something to look forward to especially when they come from the stable of someone as famous as Anthony Minghella (The English Patient and The Talented Mr.Ripley) COLD MOUNTAIN, based on Charles Frazier’s 1997 bestseller of the same name, is set in 1863-1864. It is a stark presentation of the brutality of the American Civil War - a poetic plea against the horrors of the battlefield - set against the backdrop of an old fashioned romance.
When the ailing Rev. Monroe and his daughter Ada arrive at Cold Mountain, an idyllic town in North Carolina, little do they realize that the place is soon to be engulfed into the bloody mess of the Civil war. Ada promptly falls in love with the town’s silent carpenter Inman but before their romance could develop, Inman is thrown into the way to fight for the Confederates against the Yankees.
Ada’s problems get compounded when she loses her father and has to fight the advances of the brutal and lecherous Home Guard Commander Teague. At the same time, the Confederates are routed, Inman’s company is blown apart and devastated by the pains of war, Inman deserts his post longing to return to his love.
Ada, meanwhile, is supported in her struggle for self reliance by an earthy helper Ruby. The ’’traitor’’ Inman?s’ long journey home, Ada and Ruby’s fight for survival, narrated in true episodic fashion, forms the rest of the story.
The film is undoubtedly a deep political commentary of the period in question and is bound to be appreciated more by people with a good understanding of the times. The film with its painfully slow narrative, brutal battle skirmishes, melodramatic emotional moments and winding dramatic finale seems to have been made with clear design on the Oscars.
Inman’s encounters on the road hint openly at the ultimate destination of his laborious journey. While some of the incidents on his arduous journey are well etched out, some of them lack the depth and could easily be trimmed off. The longing of the separated lovers, which is depicted once too often either by Ada’s annoyingly trite letters or Inman’s painful recollections, seems a little empty considering they hardly spent time together but then - love can never been rushed, can it ?
What works best for the movie is the casting. Jude Law as the silent, suffering Inman does full justice to his well fleshed out character. Nicole Kidman as Ada again proves that she can emote as well as look good. However she does seem a little out of place looking trim and prim though her role necessitates her to be a Southern belle. But the real scene stealer as the no-nonsense, intrepid helper is the amazing Renee Zellweger.
If Chicago made her critics sit up and observe, Cold Mountain will have them standing and applauding. The movie is further strengthened by a wonderful supporting cast - Ray Winstone as Teague is menacing - Donald Sutherland as Rev. Monroe, Natalie Portman as a widowed mother wanting a man, Brendan Gleeson as Ruby’s father and Philip Seymour Hoffman as a philandering preacher are delightful cameos.
The cinematography by John Seale is first rate - be it capturing the riveting battle sequences or the serene countryside which contrasts so much to the mood of the populace living in it. Music by Gabriel Yared suits the mood but Walter Murch with the scissors could have been a little more ruthless in the editing department. At 155 minutes, the film is a tad too long.
Finally, Anthony Minghella as director succeeds in presenting a handsome and impressive production though he appears a little lifeless in the story telling aspect. The movie is grandiose in scale but does not live up to its promise and potential.
Go in without gargantuan expectations and you are not bound to be disappointed.