--- title: "Cold Mountain: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/cold-mountain/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/cold-mountain" critics_score: 55 critics_reviews: 14 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Cold Mountain (2003): what the critics said Critics' score 55 from 14 reviews: 2 positive, 7 mixed, 5 negative. ## The AV Club — Noel Murray Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 22 February 2012. Murray sees Cold Mountain as an artful, involving prestige film that is more incisive than its Oscar-bait reputation suggests. He praises Minghella and editor Walter Murch’s rhythmic cutting between the soldier’s journey and the farm’s struggle to survive. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/the-english-patient-cold-mountain-1798171667) ## Variety — Todd McCarthy Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 7 December 2003. McCarthy finds the adaptation skillful, involving, and handsomely made, though more likely to earn respect than ardent enthusiasm. He especially praises the performances of Renee Zellweger and Nicole Kidman, whose relationship gives the story its strongest positive dynamic. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2003/film/awards/cold-mountain-4-1200537586/) ## Empire — Will Lawrence Fi1m's normalised score 65/100 (inferred from the text). 1 January 2000. Lawrence finds the film an overlong, sometimes gratuitous drama that still has enough wonders to win him over. He praises its technical work, spectacular action and richly drawn characters. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/cold-mountain-review/) ## The Hollywood Reporter — Kirk Honeycutt Fi1m's normalised score 65/100 (inferred from the text). 8 December 2003. Honeycutt finds the film a somber, sometimes chilly but carefully crafted adaptation that conveys hope amid wartime brutality. He praises the cast, especially Renée Zellweger, and the production team’s vivid recreation of the landscape. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/cold-mountain-review-2003-movie-1153007/) ## Screen Daily — Mike Goodridge Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). 8 December 2003. This is a review of the 2003 film, but the critic’s verdict is not visible. The paywall also hides any specific praise or complaint. [Read the review](https://www.screendaily.com/cold-mountain/4016389.article) ## The New York Times — A.O. Scott Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). 25 December 2003. The page is identifiable as a review of Cold Mountain, but its text is unavailable here. I cannot reliably determine the critic’s verdict or what the review singles out for praise or complaint. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/2003/12/25/movies/film-reviews-lovers-striving-for-a-reunion-with-a-war-in-the-way.html) ## Time Out — TCh Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). The available page metadata identifies this as a review, but provides no critical verdict. Its description focuses on Inman’s arduous journey home to Ada. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/cold-mountain) ## Radio Times — Dave Aldridge Rating 3/5. A mixed review says the Jude Law and Nicole Kidman pairing delivers less than its promise. It notes that the novel’s plot keeps the leads apart for long stretches, limiting their on-screen partnership. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-r7l5jg/cold-mountain/) ## Total Film — Total Film Rating 3/5. 26 December 2003. The review calls the film a missed opportunity, with its central romance failing to spark. It praises the vivid supporting performances, especially Brendan Gleeson, as reminders of the novel’s depiction of ordinary people changed by war. [Read the review](https://www.gamesradar.com/cold-mountain-review/) ## Slant Magazine — Ed Gonzalez Rating 1.5/4. 8 December 2003. Gonzalez dismisses the film as overwrought and cloying, arguing that its romance trivializes race and war. He praises the encounter between Inman and Sara for evoking the lasting force of love amid wartime separation. [Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/cold-mountain/) ## Evening Standard — Will Self Fi1m's normalised score 35/100 (inferred from the text). 10 April 2012. Self finds the film uneven and overlong, with the romance undermined by a lack of chemistry between Kidman and Law. He praises the vivid, grotesque encounters along Inman’s journey and finds Law’s portion the most satisfying. [Read the review](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/jude-and-nicole-chill-out-7437371.html) ## The Guardian — Peter Bradshaw Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 19 December 2003. Bradshaw finds the romantic drama good-looking but dull, with little spark between its leads. He particularly criticizes Renée Zellweger’s accent and the film’s evasive treatment of slavery. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/News_Story/Critic_Review/Guardian_review/0,4267,1109716,00.html) ## The Independent — Jonathan Romney Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 28 December 2003. Romney finds the film ambitious but ultimately artificial and unsatisfying, with its different elements failing to cohere. He praises the opening battle scenes for their urgency and brutal force. [Read the review](https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/reviews/cold-mountain-84328.html) ## Eye for Film — Angus Wolfe Murray Fi1m's normalised score 40/100 (inferred from the text). 24 December 2003. The review finds the film overly romanticized and visually over-polished, with an ending that feels like studio interference. It praises Jude Law’s performance and Nicole Kidman’s emotional range, while criticizing Renée Zellweger’s overacting. [Read the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/cold-mountain-film-review-by-angus-wolfe-murray) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/cold-mountain.md