Cold Mountain is a book that has been out for a few years now and they are about to make it into a movie. It is simply the most stunning work of historical fiction that I have ever read.

It is about a man who is in the confederate army who is wounded and has had enough and one day he walks out of the hospital somewhere in the NC piedmont and begins walking home to the mountains of western North Carolina where we used to live. the woman he loves - who is a real charlston silk skirt taken to the mountains by her father who dies -is the woman he loves. The chapters alternate between his journey home and her trials and tribulations learning to survive in the mountains with the help of an uncivilized mountain girl who shows up one day at her home and decides to be her "housekeeper".
Every day I would read two chapters- sometimes I cheated and read four. I have never read a book that I could see so vibrantly in my mind and this old dog has read many a book.

Tom Cruise is going to play the lead role of Inman- so before Hollywood make a travesty of this great book I urge you to read it. You will go back in time. Asheville NC is trying hard to sweeten the deal to have it filmed in the area there where the book takes place instead of somewhere further north. Since Hollywood is building a studio and the biggest soundstage to date in the area where we used to live I think the deal will go through.

I just dont picture Tom Cruise as Inman- I see a young Sam Waterston type in the part. Oddly enough I could possibly see Nicole Kidman in the female lead.
You will not be sorry if you purchase this book- especially if the civil war era is your thing- you'll be in tall readin' cotton!

sundog

Hey - maybe even Kate Winslet would be good for the part? I did like Tom and Nicole in Far & Away. Sounds like a good one! I love books you can't seem to put down. When is the movie coming out, do you know?

Kell

Hi All,

I read that book a few years ago. It was wonderful. It gave the middle and lower classes view of the war. Maybe John Cusack as Inman? Winona Ryder as the girlfriend? I'll have to read it again before the movie comes out.

casper

I haven't read this book yet. I will have to get it. How about Mel, he he he. I love him in everything. I wrote a book that I want mel to be the lead in. I just wish he was a litle bit younger. Sigh.. I do like John Cuzak too not sure on that spelling. He is an off humor kind of guy. I like his different air that he puts off. Nice to see you Casper =)

Hi Casper! It's good to see you again - it's been awhile! Hope you are well. =)

Kell

The film is due out in 2003- it has been pushed back from 2001 and 2002. negotiations are still going on as to the location- north carolina or canada (canada- what!?) They will probably film some of it in Staunton, Virginia where some location work has been done already. Tom Cruise is going to play Inman and Renee Zellwegger is in talks as Ada. Brad Pitt was another under consideration for Inman- I think he would have been a better choice.

All the better actors who could have carried the part are just too old- like Mel- sorry Mary- Inman is a lot younger. Darn! OOH- I do think Kate Winslet would have been excellent as Ada!
I can see Robert Duval as Ruby's father- but the rest of the cast has not been decided so who knows. Too bad Kevin Spacey is to old- he can do anything!

Tom Cruise is just too pretty for Inman! Oh well- gotta sell a movie to a public that hasnt and probably wont read the book.

The book has such a rich tapestry of characters running through it- a lot of show stealing parts to be had! If they do this one right it'll get many oscars.

sundog

I looked this book up at Barnes and Noble, and they have both an excerpt from the book, and even a whole chapter online for you to read. A cool way to see if it is indeed a book that you might like to invest in. I know that I will want a copy!
There are also 72 reviews by other readers that are rather interesting. From what I know about the book at this point, I would say their rating of only 3.5 stars is a little too low for a work like this. I am guessing that I would place it between 4 and 5 stars. I love how B&N give you an opportunity to read a bit from a book, just to see if it is what you hope it is. Their price is $12.60 for paperback (449 pages). Sounds like a cool book to me.

azspirit

=)

I went to out local library tonight but they don't have Cold Mountain but since we're on the net with other libraries, including Cleveland, I was able to order it so I'll have it to read in the next couple of days. How about Ben Afflack (sp) or Brandon Frazier, are they too pretty?

Oh goodie! =) Let us know how you like it!

I was thinking maybe Jason Patric would be good for the part. You may remember him from The Journey of August King and Geronimo. I think he has a good feel for the time period - and I think he's a good actor. Cute too! =P



Kell

yup-jason patric is absolutamundo perfecto for the part of inman!!! I just saw the journey of august king- it was very good and like so many movies was filmed in North Carolina in the Pisgah National Forest. A great park that actually goes all around Asheville for miles!!! We liked to hike there with our dog boys. wiley got a little tuckered out but Sunny Bear just mushes on and on up the mountain, over roots and boulders! Ah- he would have been such a great sled dog!!!

sundog

Remember this thread when we were all guessing who was going to play which roles? Here's the cast:

Cast: Jude Law (Inman), Nicole Kidman (Ada), Renee Zellweger (Ruby Thewes), Eileen Atkins (Maddy), Kathy Baker, Lucas Black (Oakley), Emily Deschanel, James Gammon, Brendan Gleeson, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Charlie Hunnam, Jena Malone, Taryn Manning, Natalie Portman (Sarah), Giovanni Ribisi, Ethan Suplee, Donald Sutherland, Melora Walters (Lila), Ray Winstone, Jack White (Georgia)

For more information, check out this link:

http://movies.yahoo.com/shop?id=1808403510&d=hp&cf=prev[/URL]

[ January 10, 2003, 09:57 AM: Message edited by: Connie ]

Thanks, Connie! Jude Law.... I had to be reminded who he was, but I remember him from The Talented Mr. Ripley. The December release date seems so far awayyyyyyyy......

Kell

Since you guys are so up on this movie, I'll have to check it out. Thanks.