Cold Mountain (2003)

Very much a Tradition-of-Quality film, which may explain why it left me cold (excuse the pun), but it's definitely one of the better specimens of Oscar-bait we've seen in recent years. Wounded by the vacancy at the narrative's heart -- having not read the novel, I was never convinced that the romance between Inman and Ada was anything beyond theoretical -- but this is the kind of movie where the journey's more important than the destination anyway. It's best appreciated for its little touches and interesting side bits -- Jena Malone's vivid cameo as a ferry girl, Philip Seymour Hoffman ranting about his bowels, the unexpected way a nighttime scene between Inman and a war widow develops. Above all, there's Renee Zellwegger's entertaining, on-the-edge-of-ludicrous performance, which is either extraordinary or embarrassing, maybe both. Solid, handsome, sure to win a raft of Oscars; even as I admire it, though, I can't help but wish it felt a little more alive.

Grade: B