This is another 'dark tale', (to me) with a feel strangely reminiscent of Peter Carey's Oscar & Lucinda. Set in a small hamlet in the dying days of the American Civil War, it tells the tale of Ada (Kidman) living with a servant/friend Ruby (Zellweger) on her late father's farm in a small hamlet below Cold Mountain in Virginia. She awaits the return of her 'betrothed', Inman (Law) from service in the now virtually defeated Confederate Army. The story simultaneously covers the journey of wounded Inman, who deserts from the army hospital, as he strives to return to Ada - all the time, lurking in the background, a group of ruthless Southern thugs (the 'home guard') led by the evil, brutish Teague (Ray Winstone), seeking deserters. I do not want to give away the ending, but it remains true to the novel. Excellent film with strong performances all round and especially by Kidman, Law and Zellweger. Superb direction by Minghella - and brilliantly photographed by Aussie master, John Seale.