This is one of those films that leaves you wondering why they had to ruin it. A lush, promising Civil War epic, almost on the scale of Gone With the Wind, Cold Mountain tells the tale of Southern lovers who barely meet and get to know each other before he goes off to war. It then tells of both their adventures, his picking up at the Siege of Petersburg and her's defending the family farm in the middle of a ruthless world.

Almost Oscar material, the story falls flat upon a plot mechanism that relies on too many characters that float in and only get killed 5 minutes later. Everyone in this film can be relied upon to get killed at some point, which makes the majority of the characters functionally useless to the story other than padding to move the plotline along.

The plot consists of the hero's desperate attempts to get back home after deserting from the Confederacy near the end of the war, showing a harrowing tale of what 19th century civilian anarchy is all about. Many of the characters are believable and full of development potential.

Unfortunately, they all end up dead before you're allowed to appreciate them.

I heard White Stripes' musician Jack White was a cameo. Let me guess... he was killed off? :laugh:

I heard R. Zellwigger is more of a romantic lead than Jude Law in this. How could they let THAT happen?

I think I can wait. I liked Jude Law in ROAD TO PERDITION.

Originally posted by Virgule
. Many of the characters are believable and full of development potential.

Unfortunately, they all end up dead before you're allowed to appreciate them.

It seem they wich to instill guilt to audience,
and to ask question of self, that is" why is it peple die before i get to know them well?"

or is it

"what a waste of life, for they die before potential is reach"

Originally posted by princessmoonbeam
It seem they wich to instill guilt to audience,
and to ask question of self, that is" why is it peple die before i get to know them well?"

or is it

"what a waste of life, for they die before potential is reach" It makes us appreciate each other more.. :hug:
Take the opportunity to live life fully and be with love ones and close friends..

Originally posted by Brainchild
I heard R. Zellwigger is more of a romantic lead than Jude Law in this. How could they let THAT happen?
What's wrong with Zellwegger being the romantic lead? Isn't she up for a supporting actress award? I've really liked her since Jerry Maguire. I thought Jude was ok in Enemy at the Gates, AI, and Perdition.

I don't have any interest in the movie whatsoever. I want to see Big Fish.

Originally posted by princessmoonbeam
It seem they wich to instill guilt to audience,
and to ask question of self, that is" why is it peple die before i get to know them well?"

or is it

"what a waste of life, for they die before potential is reach"

Princess, you are talking about Anita Mui, aren't you........ :crying:

Zellwigger was onscreen with Kidman more that Jude Law was.

I like Zellwigger alot, too. I think she’s pretty sly.

I guess the problem is Kidman/Law...but at least it wasn’t Uma Thurman/Law. Might have been good with Winona Ryder...she needs a comeback flick and she can look really ”Southern.”