Review of Cold Mountain (2003) by Alex M — 14 Aug 2013

I think this movie's greatest enemy is its length; its running time is simply too long, and while three quarters of that length is more than worth it, there are parts that drag. On the contrary, Cold Mountain's greatest asset is the strength of its ensemble cast, who truly shine from beginning to end.

While Jude Law and Nicole Kidman remain in the spotlight for much of the film, it is Renee Zellweger that steals the show - her character is a force of nature, and her energy and emotion on screen demand that she be watched.

Really can't praise her highly enough for her tremendous performance. And as would be expected of this type of film, the cinematography, costume design, and score are all finely done. The story successfully captures the horrors of war but never forgets what is going on off the battlefield, and while its pacing isn't quite up to par in places, it succeeds for the most part in running smoothly.

I'd also like to note that there were some pretty disturbing scenes in this movie that I was not expecting to play out, although it did not detract from my enjoyment of the film; I was just a little shocked.

Flaws aside, Cold Mountain is a wonderfully crafted drama; it may tread familiar territory in certain segments, but it treads enough new ground to be worth the long, heartbreaking ride.