AT THE MOVIES WITH KASEY BUTCHER
Is it better to have loved and lost or to never have loved at all? Cold Mountain, starring Nicole Kidman and Renee Zellweger address this question and so much more.
Cold Mountain tells the story of a city girl, Ada (Kidman), who moves to the small town of Cold Mountain just prior to the Civil War. Shy Ada quickly befriends equally shy Inman (Jude Law) and a romance blossoms between them. Their timid love story is interrupted, however, by the announcement of war. Just like all the other able-bodied men of Cold Mountain, Inman enlists (darn peer pressure). He soon gets injured and decides he’s not about to take another bullet for a cause he doesn’t believe in. Inman deserts, a dangerous feat when the Home Guard is out hunting any man who runs away from the army. He is intent to get back to Ada anyway. Meanwhile, Ada, who was never taught how to survive, has discovered that she’s not willing to live off the charity of her neighbors. Ruby (Zellweger), a hardworking, spunky woman comes to her rescue. Ruby teaches Ada how to take care of the farm and saves her from eventual starvation. As the Home Guard terrorizes the town and a war rages on, Ada longs for Inman and Inman fights his way back to that beloved yet distant place called “home.”
Two things really made this movie good. First, the story. Second, Renee Zellweger. The story uses incredible juxtaposition. As Inman is weakened by his journey, waiting strengthens Ada. As learning how to survive toughens Ada, Ruby is softened by having someone need and appreciate her. As the war struggles on, so does the love between Inman and Ada. The story covers a whole spectrum of human emotion, making it interesting but at the same time exhausting.
The story takes place during the Civil War but focuses on the horrors the war caused those left at home. It portrays the desperation felt by some women and the anger felt by others. As Ruby puts it “[The men] call this war a cloud over the land. But they made the weather and then they stand in the rain and say ‘[Shoot] it’s raining!'”
In the midst of all this gloominess, Zellweger’s portrayal of Ruby adds comedic relief and a character that the audience can really love. Zellweger develops the character remarkably well, down to the pickiest mannerism. I will be shocked if she does not get an Academy Award.
I will be surprised if this movie doesn’t get nominated for several Academy Awards. It is well developed, well acted, and it appeals to the nature of the human heart. As far as that timeless question goes, however, you’ll have to watch and decide for yourself.
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