ang lee clearly likes ease film catch action characters setting hoof emerge covering haphazard endgame american civil war via haphazard actions young militia unformed mind manhood ideal approach film turns formation personalities adulthood relationships lee also shows beautiful panoramas midsouth silent character enduring strife like hardy parentbr br james schamus script probably standard bearer film close behind number wellappointed performances carry admirably jeffrey wrights name alone could carry film me hes brilliant slow burning role instead treated good if revelatory performances large often recognisable ensemblebr br a noble optimistic film one watch fancy harder bittersweet cold mountain claim example 