Cold Mountain

'Clouds, clouds and then sun'

COLD MOUNTAIN
Cert 15. 2 hrs. 20 mins. approx.
Director: Anthony Minghella.

This epic film set towards the end of the American Civil War finishes on an Easter Sunday with the extended family saying grace over their lunchtime feast.
It tells the tale of a pastor's daughter (Nicole Kidman) in love, waiting for her man off fighting for the South and the story of her man (Jude Law) struggling against all odds to get back to her. The film's message is of the supremacy of true love and its ability to conquer all things. Such love has a strong moral edge which ennobles both parties and despite great temptations keeps them both faithful and pure in longing for one another. With such a theme it is not surprising that the story has to grow out of a Christian worldview with more than half an eye on heaven.

One of the most stirring scenes in the film is of the pastor's congregation singing with gusto and godly defiance,

Farewell vain world, I'm going home,
My Saviour smiles and bids me come,
And I don't care to stay here long.

If you decide to go and see it you will enjoy the music and a great performance by Renee Zellweger as Kidman's whacky country companion. But ungodly 'Christianity' is also portrayed. It is a very earthy film and there are a few times when it would be best for a Christian to close their eyes to brief sex scenes and traumatic violence and battle-field carnage.

However, these are not unnecessary to the plot for it is despite all these seductions and trials that love prevails. Those with soft hearts might well need to take a few handkerchiefs or a box of tissues! The film has been nominated for 13 Baftas.

'Clouds, clouds and then sun'

JEB

John Benton