Cold Mountain is a town in the civil war south where Inman (Jude Law) and Ada (Nicole Kidman) meet – just before Inman is swept away to fight against the north. After cheating death on the battlefield, Inman decides he’d rather be back in Cold Mountain with Ada so he skips out on the war and makes his way back home on foot. On his way he passes through various obstacles, primarily the men who are hunting down deserters.

Meanwhile, back on the farm, Ada is going through her own trials after her father (Donald Sutherland) dies and she struggles to survive on her own. Since she has no family to go to and has been raised only to knit and play the piano, she lacks the survival skills necessary to make it by herself and ends up relying on the help of others. Eventually, the tom-boyish Ruby (Renee Zellweger) comes to live with her and teaches her how to survive in rural country.

The vast majority of the film shows us Inman and Ada apart. In a very episodic manner, Inman finds his way back home and both of them survive their trials by thinking about each other until they eventually meet in the end. Mountain is actually only mildly affecting as a romance, but there’s really a whole lot more there.

Cold Mountain is cold. In the midst of their struggles, both Inman and Ada become well acquainted with the coldness of the hearts of men. Its portrayal of the potential inhumanity of humanity is comparable to Schindler’s List and its cold, ruthless killings are even more disturbing. Interestingly enough, Cold Mountain’s point of view – that of the humane southerner – allows it to be both anti-war and anti-slavery.

Fortunately, we don’t spend the whole time out in the cold. The hardened hearts are often contrasted with goodness, warmth and characters that are willing to help Inman and Ada in their struggles. It’s a nice contrast – but still not enough to thaw the icy tone that permeates the film.

The only thing that really keeps our blood running is the beautifully warm picture from director Anthony Minghella. Equally riveting are the performances from Law and Kidman, who both reveal the outer softness and inner strength that their characters embody. Just as fun are performances from Renee Zellweger and a small one from Philip Seymour Hoffman, both which add some light air to the heavily somber tone.

As intense as it all is, the only thing that keeps it from being as strong as it might be is its length. With the exception of a raucous battlefield opening, Cold Mountain is fairly slow going for the first hour – and unnecessarily so. There are multiple scenes that go longer than needful or seem unnecessary altogether. It’s like it’s intentionally trying to stretch itself into an “epic film”, or more likely, trying to get in everything it can from the book – just because it’s there.

Even still, Cold Mountain is a heck of an experience. Through cozy and warm in its romance, there’s enough frost in this frighteningly cold and chillingly haunting tale to keep you frozen for days.