Whilst being nominated for seven Academy Awards at the 2004 Oscars, Cold Mountain was, to a degree seen as being snubbed, as none of the nominations were for major categories, apart from Renee Zellweger’s win for best supporting actress. And the film should have been treated better as it is very good. In fact, I would go as far to say it is director Anthony Minghella’s best film, easily erasing the bad memories of the over hyped The English Patient.

Nicole Kidman does seem to fall back into her ice maiden persona of years past, but both Zellweger and Jude Law give great performances, especially Law, who so often gives very dull, under energized performances. For most of the film he is on the road and has to carry the film. Especially as he and Kidman are separated early on, and we have to believe they could fall in love in such a short period of time. But Law gives the performance of his life and it is a shame he was over looked at the Oscars as well.

The film has one of the best casts I have seen in one film for a long time. Especially the always good Phillip Seymour Hoffman as the naughty priest, and Ray Winstone as the reservist making the lives hell for those who remained on Cold Mountain. I also don’t think I have seen this many main characters die since The Longest Day.

Cold Mountain would be easy to over look. But with amazing war scenes and a story line that has a lot of humanity, I thought it was a surprising drama, and well worth seeing. Much better than last year’s Gangs of New York.