Writer/Director: Anthony Minghella
Starring: Ray Winstone, Jude Law and Nicole Kidman
‘A Beautiful Period Piece’
Not many actors in Britain are as well-known as Ray Winstone. Ever since his rise to fame during the 1990’s, Winstone has produced unforgettable movies. Whether it’s gangsters, motion-capture creatures or political leaders, Winstone has portrayed several fascinating characters. Arguably, Winstone’s strength as an actor has often been his strong presence. He has always had rare ability to leave strong impressions in supporting roles with a limited screen-time. Even when he’s in a movie for a limited amount of time, Winstone has always left an unforgettable impression. Through his abilities to create sympathetic characters that audiences can easily relate to, Winstone has become an actor that people value. A British icon, Winstone has become an actor making movies that audiences cherish. Throughout a lasting career, Winstone has made commemorated movies that definitely deserve to be talked about without a single doubt.
I’m a huge fan of Winstone and adore all the movies he has made in his career. However, “Cold Mountain” is my favourite. Released in 2003, Anthony Minghella’s movie provided a beautiful adaptation of a beloved book about war. Packed with stunning production-design, engaging storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the finest period piece movies ever made. At the centre of it all is an exceptional performance by Ray Winstone, who portrays a confederate army soldier facing a painful price which he has to pay. Ultimately, what makes “Cold Mountain” a masterpiece is its universal appeal. Unlike most period piece movies, the film tackles strong themes everyone will relate to. A mesmerizing masterpiece about doomed love, there are many strong reasons why “Cold Mountain” is a commemorated movie which is worth seeing.
Set in the American Civil War, “Cold Mountain” tells a story of a solider seeking to reunite with his wife following several years of separation. Jude Law portrays W. Inman, a strong soldier with a dedication to serving his nation. Inman has always shared a long-lasting bond with his wife Ada (Nicole Kidman), whom he has often valued dearly. However, Inman’s life changes when he is separated from his wife by warfare disaster. Experiencing a dilemma, Inman faces questions about his abilities to serve in a war that causes trauma. Faced with the nemesis soldier Teague (Ray Winstone), Inman wonders if his goals are truly possible to achieve. Under pressures, Inman begins to question whether it’s possible for him to reunite with soldiers. As all odds are stacked against his favour, Inman is forced to wonder his purpose in a war which causes disaster.
Anthony Minghella is fascinated with the lives of doomed lovers. His Oscar-winning movie “The English Patient” provided a captivating adaptation of a beloved book about doomed lovers facing tension. With “Cold Mountain”, however, the filmmaker created his first war drama. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to adapt legendary literature about soldiers that face tragedy but he succeeded tremendously. Using captivating cinematography, Minghella captures a soldier that embarks on a perilous journey to reunite with childhood lovers facing tragedy. Minghella effectively uses montages capturing the tensions that soldiers seeking to reunite with lost lovers are facing. For instance, montages elevate the farewell scene. During this heartfelt scene, Inman bids an emotional farewell to Ada as he embarks on adventures for warfares. Through montages, Minghella captures hardships soldiers in war go through. Montages are tricky techniques to use in films. As Martin Scorsese’s “The Departed” proved clearly, montages elevate gangster films. Thar being said, it works immensely in this movie. Through stunning visuals, Minghella captures tensions soldiers are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “Cold Mountain” that deserves appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, it’s one of the best period pieces ever made. Minghella uses powerful costume design to capture lives of lovers which decline. Throughout the movie, Minghella uses costumes to capture hardship thar lovers separated by circumstance of war go through. For instance, costumes enhance the reunion scene. During this unforgettable scene, Inman has an emotional reunion with Ada following countless years of separation. One admires costumes capturing the lives of lovers that form a strong bond during an era of warfare. Moreover, the musical score is stellar. Gabriel Yared’s music is key to the success of the movie. It gives the film a tense atmosphere capturing the heavy burden that lovers which are separated by war bear. Through gorgeous production, Minghella captures the struggles of lovers facing tension.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Cold Mountain” is a period piece which is compelling. The movie is beautifully written, and effectively uses voice-over narration to capture the lives of lovers that are torn apart by warfare destruction. Throughout the film, Minghella uses narration to capture tension faced by lovers experiencing war destruction. For instance, narration elevates the opening scene. During this unforgettable scene, Ada recounts her fond memories of meeting Inman for the first time before he became a soldier in the war. Through narration, Minghella creates a compelling romance which audiences can relate to. Narration is a tricky technique to use in movies. As Martin Scorsese’s “The Wolf of Wall Street” suggested, narration enhances movies about Wall Street stockbrokers. That being said, it works immensely in this movie. Through a spectacular screenplay, Minghella caprices the lives of soldiers which endure a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Ray Winstone delivers one of his finest career performances Teague. Winstone first earned appreciation for portraying gangsters in crime dramas. With “Cold Mountain”, however, the actor took on his most complex role. It isn’t easy to portray a soldier that faces tension in history but he succeeded tremendously. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him in the past before: tense, charismatic and emotional in his most memorable role. With mesmerizing expressions, he captures the angst, frustration and grief of a confederate soldier which seeks recognition. It’s a phenomenal performance by one of the most commemorated actors in the industry today.
Jude Law is phenomenal as a soldier seeking to reunite with lovers inspiring awe. Law has often had an aptitude for depicting emotional heroes under pressure, and “Cold Mountain” showcased his strengths as an actor. Whether he’s bidding emotional farewell to his wife or seeking to save soldiers from a war which is frightening, Law uses strong body language to create a soldier there compelling. It’s a terrific performance from one of the best actors in Britain today.
The supporting cast is sensational and also worthy of praise. Nicole Kidman is fantastic, capturing the tension of a woman which is separated from her soldier husband. Renee Zellweger is remarkable, bringing authority to a farmer woman facing a painful price to pay. Lastly, Phillip Seymour Hoffman merits praise. As a reckless soldier, he brings hilarious comic relief to the movie.
Finally, “Cold Mountain” will earn appreciation of everyone for capturing lives of lovers which face tension. Unlike most period piece movies, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. It discusses strong themes including identity, marriage and resentment which will resonate with everyone. Viewers don’t need to be fans of the legendary book to appreciate it. It delivers a profound message about doomed love that resonate with everyone. Therefore, “Cold Mountain” is one of those rare period pieces everyone will adore.
Fans of Ray Winstone will definitely appreciate “Cold Mountain” and so will movie-goers that seek exhilarating entertainment. A captivating period piece, it honours an actor that has built a legacy which is lasting.
Nearly 25 years following the release of a groundbreaking film about lovers separated by the tension of warfare in Cold Mountain, it’s a captivating reminder of a commemorated British actor that has built a legendary reputation earning a huge fan following for his abilities to portray compelling characters in movies which deserve celebration.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 