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Topic: Review: 'Cold Mountain' offers grand sweep (Read 1064 times)

Rhune
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Review: 'Cold Mountain' offers grand sweep
« on: Dec 26^th, 2003, 11:41am »

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Review: 'Cold Mountain' offers grand sweep
By Paul Clinton
CNN Reviewer
Wednesday, December 24, 2003 Posted: 3:14 PM EST (2014 GMT)

(CNN) -- The film adaptation of "Cold Mountain" is an epic love story that conveys the horrors of war in an up-close and personal way often attempted in movies but rarely achieved.

Based on Charles Frazier's 1997 novel, this highly sentimental tale set during the American Civil War is also achingly romantic and has Oscar written all over it.

With Nicole Kidman, Renee Zellweger and Jude Law, the movie contains some of the best acting of the year and is beautifully mounted by Academy Award-winning director Anthony Minghella ("The English Patient").

"Cold Mountain" blatantly tugs at your heartstrings while exploring the heartlessness of war. At times, the story verges on sliding into a vapid emotional soup, but Minghella (who also adapted the script from the original book) and his superb cast never quite let that happen.

Kidman stars as Ada, a well-bred preacher's daughter who falls in love with a simple working man from Cold Mountain, North Carolina, named Inman -- played with great skill by Law. When the Civil War breaks out, Inman and every other able-bodied man in the area join the Confederate army.

Zellweger plays the feisty Ruby, a no-nonsense, earthy country woman who helps the sheltered Ada during the darkest days of the war when she almost gives up hope of seeing Inman again. The scene when Ruby first meets Ada is wonderful and establishes their relationship instantly.

In the waning days of the savage conflict, Inman escapes from a hospital and begins to walk hundreds of miles back home to Cold Mountain. There, Ada and Ruby are faced with a group of lawless thugs called the Home Guard, who have taken it upon themselves to terrorize civilians in the name of the Confederacy.

Ultimately, the film is a tale of the journeys of the three main characters: Inman's physical trek as he tries to return home against all odds, and Ada's and Ruby's struggles of the heart and soul as they fight to survive the bitter hardships in a ravaged land.

Minghella's mesmerizing adaptation
Adapting a well-loved novel to the big screen is Minghella's specialty: The director did it with "The English Patient" in 1996 and "The Talented Mr. Ripley" in 1999. He once again has achieved the miracle of transforming a difficult book with an inner narrative into a deeply satisfying film.

There are also three small performances of great note: Philip Seymour Hoffman as a disgraced minister, Natalie Portman as a helpless farmer's wife rescued by Inman and Giovanni Ribisi as a despicable backwoodsman who betrays Inman.

Also look for the character of Georgia, played by Jack White of the White Stripes: His originally was a singing role, but the rocker ended up with a few lines in the finished film. He's also romantically linked with Zellweger.

Superlatives extend beyond cast
Shot mostly on location in Romania, "Cold Mountain" reeks of authenticity. Moviegoers will feel swept back into the 1860s. Cinematographer John Seale, who also worked on "Ripley" and won an Academy Award with Minghella for "The English Patient," is a master at framing shots while intermixing intimate images with grand visual sequences.

Composer Gabriel Yared, who also received an Oscar for "The English Patient," provides a sweeping score that underlines the deep emotions and grand themes in this marvelous movie. But it's the authentic folk and bluegrass music produced by T-Bone Burnett ("O Brother, Where Art Thou?") that captures the mood and essence of the times.

In the few remaining days of Academy Award consideration, "Cold Mountain" emerges as a main contender with "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" as a front-runner for the year's best picture.

"Cold Mountain" opens nationwide Thursday. It is rated R, with a running time of 155 minutes.

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lakelady
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Re: Review: 'Cold Mountain' offers grand sweep
« Reply #1 on: Dec 29^th, 2003, 6:04pm »

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I don't know what more I could possibly add to all of the reviews already out there. I will just point out some of my favorite scenes. Opening with the battle of Petersburg in Virginia, you are shown graphic and detailed images of what the war was like. The blood, the mud and the effects on the soldiers. The flashbacks of the sweet and budding romance between Inman, a country carpenter and Ada, a demure and awkward preacher's daughter relocated to Cold Mountain from Charleston. Inman's long walk home and the people he encounters. How he would not let his spirit or his journey be broken. Many poignant moments. Ada's struggle to overcome the loss of her father and the shambles of their farm. Then, the highlight of the entire movie for me, the entrance of Ruby. Who literally saves Ada from her downfall. I cannot say enough about Rene Zellweger's performance. In my opinion, she stole the movie. I would go out on a limb and say, go see the movie just to see her. I was very disappointed in the end, almost to the point of walking out. However, a friend pointed out that if you want a sappy ending after all the tragedy, you need to go and read a Harlequin.

This is one time that I am glad I didn't read the novel. Only made it the first few chapters. I do hope that for those who did, it was not a huge disappointment. I can't imagine it being any better.

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MzWings
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Re: Review: 'Cold Mountain' offers grand sweep
« Reply #2 on: Jan 4^th, 2004, 5:55pm »

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I'd sure like to see this movie. I haven't been to the cinema in a month of Sundays. Cry

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Re: Review: 'Cold Mountain' offers grand sweep
« Reply #3 on: Jan 7^th, 2004, 11:43pm »

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I want to see it too! :baseball2:

http://www.entertainmentspectrum.com/Reviews/Movies/COLD_MOUNTAIN.html

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luci
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Re: Review: 'Cold Mountain' offers grand sweep
« Reply #4 on: Jan 25^th, 2004, 11:25pm »

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.....and got a cold reception at the Golden Globes tonight,
with Rene the only winner as Best Supporting Actress.

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luci
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Re: Review: 'Cold Mountain' offers grand sweep
« Reply #5 on: Jan 29^th, 2004, 12:56pm »

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We went to see this yesterday. Talk about a guy having Murphy's Law going on for years. This poor man, Inman!

Jude Law was very good in this film and we would vote he get the oscar, instead of Sean Penn, but for some reason we did not get our voting card this year, hmmm Roll Eyes

Rene definitely deserved her award for her performance, but them most of us from the south could do this character!
She did a great job and most likely will get the Oscar for it as well.

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radiogurl
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Re: Review: 'Cold Mountain' offers grand sweep
« Reply #6 on: Jan 29^th, 2004, 5:36pm »

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on Jan 29^th, 2004, 12:56pm, luci wrote:

Jude Law was very good in this film and we would vote he get the oscar, instead of Sean Penn...

Wow. Really? I went back and saw that you went to see Mystic River too. I thought Sean Penn's portrayal of a father grieving his daughter's murder was moving and brilliant! I think he'll win hands down.

Of course we can agree to disagree... Wink

But side with Penn's politics or not, it was still the performance of the year.

Renee should win best supporting actress. She was funny and convincing as the saavy Ruby. I adored her!

~radiogurl~

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lakelady
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Re: Review: 'Cold Mountain' offers grand sweep
« Reply #7 on: Jan 29^th, 2004, 6:13pm »

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Not having seen Penn's performance as of yet, I'm sure it was grand. And he will probably win, yes. However, I'm just glad that Jude Law was included. And I do agree, that Rene will take home an award. She truly deserves it. As for Nicole...it does not surprise me AT ALL that she was not nominated for an Oscar. Her performance was not worthy. The only reason she got a nod from the Golden Globes is because she is always a "favorite". pfft. Not this time dear.

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luci
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Re: Review: 'Cold Mountain' offers grand sweep
« Reply #8 on: Jan 29^th, 2004, 6:20pm »

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LOL, Lakelady!
Both "Cold Mountain" &
Mystic River" are very sad movies.
Why is it if I post my opinion, I feel as if another is attacking my view point. I'm not agreeing or disagreeing about either of these movies.
Only stating what I liked best.

For the most part, we like most movies and enjoy going to see them. "Big Fish" is next on the list and we'll probably like it also.

Our complaint with all of the movies is that they show so many promos, that we feel as if we've already seen it by the time we get there. As with "Cold Mountain"

As for "Mystic River" it was good, not our favorite one, even though we both love Clint Eastwood. Grin

« Last Edit: Jan 29^th, 2004, 6:24pm by luci »

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lakelady
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Re: Review: 'Cold Mountain' offers grand sweep
« Reply #9 on: Jan 29^th, 2004, 7:32pm »

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Why is it if I post my opinion, I feel as if another is attacking my view point. I'm not agreeing or disagreeing about either of these movies.
Only stating what I liked best.

luci, I know from experience that we tend to get paranoid when opinions do not agree with our fellow posters. Step back and breathe and know that is not personal. We just all have our own personal opinions. Case in point. I DESPISE Sean Penn for his political views. However, I can still be objective when it comes to his acting skills. Same goes for Tim Robbins and Jane Fonda and the like.

Let's just all share our opinions and try not to get frustrated. Coming from me, that is quite a statement. LOLOLOLOL Grin

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luci
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Re: Review: 'Cold Mountain' offers grand sweep
« Reply #10 on: Jan 29^th, 2004, 10:45pm »

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I do not come into this movie thread to agree or disagree with anyone, just to say whether or not we liked the movie and it's actors/actresses. From now on it's Lips Sealed

for me .

« Last Edit: Jan 29^th, 2004, 10:46pm by luci »

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"A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart and
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lakelady
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Re: Review: 'Cold Mountain' offers grand sweep
« Reply #11 on: Jan 30^th, 2004, 8:08am »

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luci, don't you dare quit posting in here. Cry

I LOVE and look forward to hearing your thoughts. Please don't stop.

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seaglass
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Re: Review: 'Cold Mountain' offers grand sweep
« Reply #12 on: Jan 30^th, 2004, 11:47am »

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Loved Cold Mountain, I also read the book and knew it would not have the feel good happy ending. It was very close to the novel so the author should be pleased with the way his novel was portrayed. Nicole was good, but perhaps a bit too pretty for the role? Renee was perfect and gets my vote for best supporting actress. But I'd vote for her in any movie! I plan to see Mystic River this weekend. I was never big Shawn Penn fan UNTIL I saw "I AM SAM" and my opinion of his acting ability changed in an instant. I'm sure he will be Oscar worthy in any film he is in. But I also thought Jude Law was outstanding and he had to go through so much more cold and mud and war and running for his life to get back to his one true love so maybe he should be rewarded for all he had to go through in Cold Mountain! And it was filmed in Romania! No Club med there.

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radiogurl
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Re: Review: 'Cold Mountain' offers grand sweep
« Reply #13 on: Jan 30^th, 2004, 4:29pm »

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on Jan 30^th, 2004, 11:47am, seaglass wrote:

And it was filmed in Romania! No Club med there.

Very cool Judi! I had no idea! I will mention that now if and when I talk about the movie on the air.

~radiogurl~

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seaglass
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Re: Review: 'Cold Mountain' offers grand sweep
« Reply #14 on: Jan 30^th, 2004, 5:56pm »

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Good article here:

Director Anthony Minghella scoured the planet looking for the perfect location to set his epic movie, “Cold Mountain.” Romania was finally chosen as a stand-in for North Carolina in the 1800s, and with the hard work of a large, eclectic cast, the Charles Frazier novel “Cold Mountain” was transformed into what has become one of 2003’s most critically acclaimed films.

When you do Question and Answer sessions across the United States, what’s the most commonly asked question?
I think people are slightly nonplussed at the fact that there are so many non-Americans in the cast, and also the fact that it was filmed in Romania. There’s a kind of a fascination with that, for example. It’s just the whole internationalization of the industry. People are shooting everywhere for everywhere. It’s good, as far as I’m concerned, it’s great news that actors can be international, too. The boundaries are down a little bit.

Romania and why it was shoot there and why not in North Carolina was kind of something that did occupy people’s minds. All film is an illusion anyway. We were able to go into a time capsule in Romania that I don’t think would have been possible in North Carolina. But, it would have been interesting to be there, too. I would have been very interested to shoot down there.

In Romania, did you encounter a lot of difficulties with language problems or with the fact that they’re not used to such a big production being filmed there?
Yes, both of those. But in a sense, that was refreshing particularly for people like Nicole [Kidman]. They can walk about and there isn’t the same mad preoccupation with celebrity and everything else. There were advantages to go with that. They have a film structure over there. We were working in tandem with a local film company so the structure was kind of in place. But I think the language – people break through language. And it’s very beautiful country, you know? The set was a little bit isolated but I think that’s very good for the movie, given the movie as it was. It felt right to be out in the wilderness a little bit.

and this article:

Set mainly in the Blue Ridge Mountains of the 1860s but filmed in the Carpathian Mountains of Romania, "Cold Mountain" recounts the pilgrimage of a wounded Confederate deserter who slogs across North Carolina toward the promise of a lover waiting in the hills.

The movie's debut stirs a blend of contradictions among those who live near the real mountain.

People like Frank Sorrells, a 75-year-old retired teacher who farms 33 acres at the base of Cold Mountain, do not understand why a movie set in Cold Mountain, N.C., was filmed in the Romanian province of Transylvania.

"It don't seem right," he says.

Key players in North Carolina's burgeoning moviemaking industry say they worked for five years with the film's director, Anthony Minghella, and his crew, scouting locations around the mountains. Seventy-eight feature films and television shows were filmed in the Tarheel state in 2002, generating $231 million in revenue, and the industry has grown so quickly that various estimates rank North Carolina third in revenue from film production, behind California and New York.

Having "Cold Mountain" filmed in the state would have provided a big boost, says Bill Arnold, the state's film commissioner. Actors, camera operators and crew members would have spent money in local hotels and restaurants. Producers might have hired local carpenters and hairstylists.

Siting cuts both ways

Arnold says contacts at the movie's production company, Miramax, told him they chose Romania mainly because it costs much less to film in Eastern Europe than western North Carolina.

Also, Arnold says, rural Romania shows fewer signs of modern life, such as telephone poles, power lines and paved roads, and it boasts guaranteed snowfall -- a must for the movie's climactic scenes. A few inches of snow blanketed Cold Mountain last week, but snow is inconsistent and unpredictable in North Carolina's mountains.

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