in anticipation of ang lee new movie crouching tiger and hidden dragon and i saw this at blockbuster and figure i would give it a try . a civil war movie be not the typical movie i watch . luckily though and i have a good feeling about this director . this movie be wonderfully write . the dialogue be in the old southern style and yet doesn not sound cornily out of place and outdated . the spectacular acting help that aspect of the movie . toby maguire be awesome . i think he be good ( but nothing special ) in pleasantville and but here he shin . i have always think of skeet ulrich a a good actor ( but nothing special ) and but here he be excellent as well . the big shocker for me be jewel . she be amazingly good . jeffrey wright and who i have never hear of before and be also excellent in this movie . it seem to me that great acting and great writing and direct go hand in hand . a movie with bad write make the actor look bad and visa versa . this movie have the perfect combination . the actor look brilliant and the character development be spectacular . this movie keep you wish and hop good thing for some and bad thing for others . it let you really get to know the character and which be all very dynamic and interesting . the plot be complex and and keep you on the edge of your seat and guessing and and ready for anything at any time . literally dozen of time i be sure someone be go to get kill on silent part in the movie that be too quiet ( brilliant directing ) . this be also a beautifully shot movie . the scenery be not breath take ( it in missouri and kansa for goodness sakez ) but there be clearly much attention put into pick great nature setting . have that rough and rugged feel and but keep an elegance and which be very pleasant on the eye . the movie be deep . it tell a story and in do so make you think . it have layer underneath that exterior civil war story . specifically and it focus on two character that be not quite sure what they be fight for . there be many more deep issue deal with in this movie and too many to pick out . it be like a beautifully write short story and fill with symbolism and artistic extra that leave you think during and after the story be do . if you like great acting and write and lot of action and and some of the best directing ever and see this movie . take a chance on it .