Cinema Consults: COLD MOUNTAIN

This film, which can be rentedfrom your local video store, israted on a scale of 1 to 4 caducei:

COLD MOUNTAIN

Cold Mountain

(2003): Alove story setagainst the backdropof war isnothing new. Infact, it often makesfor a great storybecause the couplemust struggle withtheir love vs thehigher cause of thewar. The potentialsacrifice of love,therefore, becomes a noble andpowerful testament to patriotism.In , director AnthonyMinghella sings this familiar tune ashe adapts Charles Frazier's popularnovel in which two potential lovers,Ada (Nicole Kidman) and Inman(Jude Law), are torn apart by theAmerican Civil War. What makestheir story so compelling is thatunlike our favorite Southern soldier,Rhett Butler, Inman begins to questionthe South and its participation inthis intensely bloody war. For me,this made the love story all the moreheart wrenching; to risk love forsomething you don't even believe inis devastating. Minghella spares noexpense in showcasing the dark anddevious side of this war, from thosewho exploit it on the home front tothose whose families are obliteratedby it. To save itself from completemelancholy, the movie curbs itshopelessness by showcasing characterslike Ruby (Renée Zellweger),who is a perpetual survivor and whosustains the hope of a post-war life inher determination to save Ada's latefather's farm. This movie is beautifullyfilmed and well acted; bring a boxof tissues, and enjoy the show.

Rating: 3 1/2

Lisa A. Tomaszewski, managing editorof Physician's Money Digest, is currentlyworking on her PhD in literature atDrew University in New Jersey. She isan avid fan of film and has taught asummer film course at FairleighDickinson University. She welcomesquestions, comments, or suggestions forfuture film reviews at 732-656-1140ext 195 or ltomaszewski@mwc.com.