Review: Cold Mountain

For most non-US viewers, it’s hard enough trying to live into the moment, not knowing the full weight and impact of the Civil War raging for 4 years in 1861. It’s even harder when not only the title is cold, but also the relationship between the two main characters (Jude Law and Nicole Kidman). The story plays out more like a fairy tale than a civil war drama, but there are subtleties to be appreciated. As a drama it does not succeed fully, but save a few characters, there are performances to be remembered (mostly that of Renee Zellweger). Another minus is for the type casting. Short roles for Philip Seymour Hoffman, Natalie Portman, Giovanni Ribisi and Donald Sutherland, all playing the roles we’ve known them to perform best. All in all, not Oscar material, just average.7-.