Drama, 2003, Rated R
Director: Anthony Minghella
Writer: Anthony Minghella, Charles Frazier
Cast: Jude Law, Nicole Kidman, Renee Zellwegger
Score: ****

The American Patient - Civil War style.  Writer/director Anthony Minghella’s(The English Patient, The Talented Mr. Ripley) latest is an adaptation of the Charles Frazier epic love story of sorts set in the backdrop of the beautiful Carolinas in the 1860s when America was at war with herself.  Wounded, tired and lovelorn hero Inman (Jude Law in a more subdued though no less energetic performance) deserts the army and heads home on foot, avoiding the enemy but more particularly, the dreaded Confederate Home Guard who have taken it upon themselves not only to rid the land of traitor deserters but pillage all good folk of any crop or animal.  Seeking solace in his new love, Ada (Nicole Kidman), the prim and proper daughter of a preacher (Donald Sutherland), Inman’s determination drives him on to the final embrace.

Minghella paints a picture of a disheartened and hopeless land whose coldness is reflected only by the barren landscape surrounding the village also known as Cold Mountain.  The battle scenes, notably the first segment are spectacularly staged—old fashioned panoramic style, with minimal special effects.  This is all masterly photographed and scored to grand effect.  One also cannot fault with Minghella for his compelling story-telling techniques (with layered flashbacks), which work well—primarily from his well-written supporting characters encountered by Inman during his journey.  These are performed by a stellar international cast that includes Natalie Portman, Brendan Gleeson and the barely recognizable Philip Seymour Hoffman and Giovanni Ribisi.  But Renee Zellweger steals the show as the tomboyish farm girl, Rudy, mumbling wise-cracks under her breath as if the day has no end. 

On the whole, Cold Mountain works like an adult fairy-tale with a fair share of violence and the romance sometimes carried out a bit too far. The ending is lengthy yet necessary for proper closure but the best bits occur when Minghella displays his sense of cynicism.  He likens the civil war to man-made rain, in which man will stand in it and shout “***censored***, it is raining!” and life to the parable of the bird, seed and ***censored***.  Nevertheless, this film finally emerges as a well made ambitious work worthy of the Best Picture Oscar.

GILBERT SEAH was born in Singapore and moved to Toronto in 1982. He is an engineer by profession, with a passion for the cinema. Since the age of 10, he has been to the movies almost daily. Having been brought up in the Asian, British and Canadian cultures, he is able to bring a distinct perspective to film.