I really, really liked "Cold Mountain." Discuss.

[VolcanoJen]

I just watched it on DVD, and enjoyed the film. It fully engaged me, and left me with something of a horrible taste in my mouth.

Why is it that the line that really sticks with me is the one in which, as it becomes clear that the war has started, a chorus of future Confederate Soldiers shout "Whoooo! We got our war! We got our war!"

It just sets everything up... and their cries of jubilation are so bittersweet, knowing what is about to play out.

I would have preferred Natalie Portman in the Nicole Kidman role. That's my only complaint.

What do you all think of the film?

[Placebo]

1. I wish I had seen it.

It looked good. :hi:

[redqueen]

2. I absolutely LOVED it

I watched the scene you referred to twice... so disturbing. From the church to when he leaves... so awful.

[bluestateguy]

3. Quite good.

Both sides had major deserter problems, until eventually they did not have the machinery to do much about it anymore.

Jubilation was very much the reaction in the South when war broke out. The North was not much different. Nobody realized it would be a 4 year bloodbath that would end slavery.

I also especially liked the "Crater" scence, perhaps General Burnside's greatest blunder, worse than Fredricksburg.

[VolcanoJen]

6. The film left me craving to learn more about that time.

My mom is really, really into the Civil War, I guess we'd call her a "buff." I always found it disengaging and too long gone to be interested, but this film really helped me pique my interest.

It's so tragic... and as a woman, I can only begin to imagine how horrible it must have been for women, left alone, especially those without a community, during those awful times. Waiting for your man to come home... and no dishwashers, no lawnmowers, no grocery store.

I know it seems trite, but I can't even imagine. :-(

[VOX]

15. Jen: Find the DVD of Ang Lee's "Ride With the Devil" -- you'll love it.

It stars Tobey Maguire, Jonathan Rhys-Meyers, Jim Caviezel, Tom Wilkinson and a host of excellent young actors (including Jewel, who's actually quite good in her role). It's about the Kansas-Missouri conflict during the Civil War, and the family and community complexities that occurred during this terrible time.

The dialogue is so "of the time" -- formal, colorful and humorous at times. And Lee uses the Missouri landscapes almost as another character -- broad, majestic, even comforting in a way.

I simply cannot recommend this film highly enough -- and it's definitely not just a "guy flick" -- my wife loved it as well.

[GOPisEvil]

4. It wasn't a bad movie at all.

I was prepared to hate it, but I actually didn't mind it. It wasn't great, but I have to say I was mostly entertained. It did tend to drag a bit, though. I think it could have been a shorter movie. I think it was about 15-30 minutes too long.

Yeah, I never understood people being HAPPY about a war.

[jpgray]

5. I dunno--one of Miramax's "give her a damn oscar" flicks

Starring Nicole Kidman. Let's see, there were also the Hours, Moulin Rouge, The Others... :D

(I'm only kidding, but it's weird how prominently they feature her--almost like the old studios.)

[MuseRider]

7. I liked it

but the book I loved. It is sad, the whole thing. They way the people lived during that war and the things that happened to everyone. War has not changed much in that regard. Personally I loved Kidman in it, I thought she was able to show the original woman for show softening through experience to a kinder, more able woman. By the end her relationship with Rose(my mind is slipping, it was Rose wasn't it?) was special and I thought she did it well. So much for different views! Jude Law kept my eyes entertained, such a cutie.

[Zomby Woof]

8. read it!

Still haven't seen the film, although I want to. But I have the book, which is worthwhile. The author's first effort in fact.

[VolcanoJen]

10. My mom loved the book.

I didn't read it, but I wish I had, before seeing the film.

God, it's so devastating, and contains such real-world parallels. Upsetting. After the film, I was simply upset.

It stayed with me, which is the hallmark of a great film, in VolcanoWorld. For comparison, I ejected "50 First Dates" from the DVD player after the first 50 minutes, at which time it became apparent that I should do something more productive.

[Zomby Woof]

13. the book is kind of like the dark side of the Odyssey

Coming home from a war, taking a long time to do it because of delays and sidetracks, and having someone at home never giving up on you all recall the Homer epic. I won't stretch the similarity any further, but I couldn't help but be reminded of it.

Having grown up in Tennessee and Virginia, with a few Confederate ancestors, plus having my degree in history... well, yeah, I think I could sit down with your Mom and talk some Civil War. :-)

If I could, I would make you sit down for a few hours each night and watch the Ken Burns documentary. It is moving in its own right.

[wildeyed]

9. I liked it allot.

Isn't Jude Law the stuff? I thought Inman was a difficult part to play b/c he doesn't talk much, but the whole story revolves around him.

I read the book before seeing the movie. Usually I end up hating the movie b/c I have preconceived notions about what it should be, but not in this case.

The book is excellent, too.

[VOX]

11. I liked the scene where the runaway slaves enter the road...

from the cornfield. They didn't speak a word to Inman, which made it all the more haunting.

I also thought the scenes with Natalie Portman and the feverish child were acted beautifully.

I did have a problem with the regularity with which the stock-bad-guy Home Guard kept showing up. Whenever any characters were having a good time or a thoughtful moment, up popped the villanous Home Guard. I began to easily second-guess their numerous arrivals.

I also wish that there had been more chemistry between Jude Law and Nicole Kidman -- the whole story hung on the love of these two, but I never for a moment felt that these they were head-over-heels for each other.

[VolcanoJen]

16. I agree on every level!!

Natalie Portman's character broke my heart, and it sticks with me. I can't even begin to imagine how difficult those times must have been, especially for women left at home.

The "villain" characters annoyed me in their constant, and predictable, presence.

[procopia]

12. Timely Renee Zellweger quote

"They call this war a cloud over the land. But they made the weather and then they stand in the rain and say, 'Shit it's raining.'"

[VolcanoJen]

14. Renee's character was outstanding...

... and she rightly deserved her accolades for her performance in the role of Ruby Thewle. (sp?)

She portrayed the "Greek Chorus" of the story, in tune with what ZW called a "Homeresque Odyssey" (paraphrasing).

At any rate, one of the most satisfying epics I've seen in years.

[procopia]

17. Yes, she stole the show

IMHO