Brokeback Mountain Movie
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Storyline
TAGLINES
Love Is A Force Of Nature
A raw, powerful story of two young men, a Wyoming ranch hand and a rodeo cowboy, who meet in the summer of 1963 sheepherding in the harsh, high grasslands of contemporary Wyoming and form an unorthodox yet life-long bond—by turns ecstatic, bitter and conflicted.
| Heath Ledger | Ennis Del Mar |
| Jake Gyllenhaal | Jack Twist |
| Randy Quaid | Joe Aguirre |
| Anne Hathaway | Lureen Newsome |
| Michelle Williams | Alma Del Mar |
| Valerie Planche | Waitress |
| Graham Beckel | L.D. Newsome |
| David Harbour | Randall Malone |
| Kate Mara | Alma Jr. - Age 19 |
| Roberta Maxwell | Jack's Mother |
| Peter McRobbie | John Twist |
| Anna Faris | LaShawn Malone |
| Linda Cardellini | Cassie Cartwright |
| Scott Michael Campbell | Monroe |
| David Trimble | Basque |
| Ang Lee |
7.80 out of 10 (66254 votes)
Visitor Reviews
"A red spark on the huge black mass of mountain. . ."
posted on 28 Aug 2009"Brokeback Mountain" is a lyric poem. It is quiet, brave and bold. It will be talked about for years.The only condescension it shows—and it's not for their attitudes about homosexuality, as you might expect—is towards some of the lesser, ignorant characters. They deserve it.Jack and Ennis earn our respect and our love because they have that of the writers and the director. We watch them gropingly, angrily finding their way, and it's obvious the journey has been much longer than what we've seen. But once they get there… it's just exhilarating. I keep going to the movies hoping to feel as renewed, inspired, and in love with the universe as I did after "Brokeback Mountain." But it very, very rarely happens.I don't believe in spoilers, so I will simply say that near the end there is a scene with a character whom you would believe to be the least likely person to accept, understand or acknowledge the relationship between Ennis and Jack. It's the small act of putting some crumpled items into a grocery bag that says, "I understand. And I love you as if you were my own."
A sadly-gay film
posted on 28 Aug 2009I'll be honest here, gay-kissing scenes make me squirm a little. I know that a relationship between any two people (as long as thy are consenting adults) is just as noble and worthy as the next and I despise all the hate ridden mongrels who proclaim "God hates fagots". I believe that if god hates humans, he hates those who are dispersing hatred, bigotry and narrow mindedness. I sincerely believe all those things. The problem is, no one had bothered to notify my stomach about it. If my stomach would have written the review, it would seem like a Jerry Falwell manifest. Thank god my stomach's only job these days is to make my jeans feel like spandex. In 1963, my stomach's opinions were pretty common. Gays were ridiculed and scorned. Those who were unfortunate enough to be recognized as gays were severely punished, not by the law but certainly without repercussions from law enforcers. 1963 was also the year that the lives of Anis del mar (Heath Ledger in a wonderful performance) and Jack Twist (Jake Gyllenhaal in an equally great performance)were conjoined and altered forever. Anis and Jack were assigned to lead a herd of sheep for a week for mountain grazing. The two young men, each one with his aspirations and his southern roots deeply embedded in them, found in each other their soul mates.It goes without saying that in 1963 Wyoming (and let's face it, also everywhere in 2005) gay relationships were, to say the least, frowned upon and the two men had to build a life in the rural, southern states, start a family and go through the process that had no room for two gay man to materialize their love. Anis turned to the cattle business, Jack was a rodeo rider and later, a sleek salesman. Both living out the lives society deemed them to have.They also continued to see each other, having a clandestine affair where they basically, reenacted that week they spent together in the scenic location that the film bares its name. At some point, suspicion was bound to rise and that unfulfilled love and loveless marriages are never without a heavy toll. This toll is the recurring motive in the characters' lives and the thread that binds the movie.That thread is a subtle one, it reflects on the characters' weaknesses. Don't expect to find the "Queer as folk" plot lines, this movie is about regular people, not overly sensitive men, not inspiring visionaries, just two guys that fell in love with each other in time and place that left them very little chance to pursue their common personal aspirations.Unfortunately for the film, the same thread that makes it a subtle, atmosphere oriented feature is also the thread that stretches for 130 minutes that I (and not just my stomach) found to be partially redundant.Than it dawned on me. Jack and Anis, written, acted and directed almost flawlessly, are too dominant in the film. The supporting roles (Excellent performance all round, especially Michelle Williams and Anna Faris) were wrongfully remained a background setting while the ongoing endless struggle of Jack and Anis between their love and their obligations seems repetitive and is drained of new angles somewhere toward the end of the movie. In what the movie succeeds beyond expectations and will prompt me to evaluate it more now than I did when I exited the movie theater is the notion that keeps running in my head. Have we evolved since then? Oh, sure we all accept gay relationships, I have gay fiends and I couldn't care less who they choose as their life partners. We all heard of actors and performers living for a very long time with same-gender partners and we wink to each other and we genuinely know there is nothing morally wrong in this scenario. Where we made little progress, though is in our tendency to hush it, many times we rationalize that many people are still not openly gay by their will to avoid unnecessary hassle while secretly knowing that the gay issue remains uncomfortable. This movie, though low on plot and pacing and sometimes sluggishly dialogued, leaves a mark of impression and raises issues in 130 minutes screening that a generation of well mannered debates never managed to raise. The rarest of achievements.9.5 out of 10 in my FilmOmeter. p.s. It was today, 4/2/06, when a gay bar was smashed and brutalized by ignorant hate mongers. Those are still out there but that's not the reason why I bring this up. The reason is thee are many gay bars that are not the sign of progress but, rather, the indication of how little we changed since 1963. The straight bars are still not welcoming the gay community and those gay men and women have to wonder off on carefully marked, highly distinguished places that are nothing but the indication of how little our society had assimilated them. Unfortunately, not one movie, even this one, will make the difference.
A truly moving movie of forbidden love.
posted on 28 Aug 2009Definitely a truly moving movie about forbidden love.This movie does and excellent job at portraying 2 men who fall in love with each other, and having to face a cruel world that isn't open to them. And even with their attempts to regain "normal" lives after their encounter at Brokeback Mountain, they always go back to each other when they felt true love.There is a reason why Jake Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger were nominated for their performances, acting performance that is. They truly brought forth their characters. Ennis's (Ledger) reluctance and denial of his feelings, and Jack's (Gyllenhaal) willingness to be with his true love.And Ang Lee definitely deserves the Oscar for bringing forth love, betrayal and heartbreak to the screen. Especially the heartbreak that really brought forth the full emotion of the movie.Obviously the gay sex scenes would be too much for people who are very squeamish about the subject (dropping it from a 9 out of 10), but the rest of the movie is irresistible.No doubt as to why this movie was nominated for best picture, give Brokeback Mountain ...... 8.5 out of 10.
Brokeback Mountain is a tremendous Love Story that will be around for future generations to watch in wonder...
posted on 26 Aug 2009Beauty, Passion, Talent, and Love embody this wonderful Love Story...This movie touched every part of my being...I would highly recommend this to anyone who wants to experience a Love Story to its fullest. The acting was phenomenal....I have a new found respect for Michelle Williams. Ang Lee's "Brokeback Mountain" is a movie I couldn't stop watching over and over again. If you want to take a walk with characters that will become unforgettable, superbly acted by Ledger, Williams, and Gyllenthal, this is the movie to see. Don't be afraid to let yourself get lost in one of the most touching love stories I ever had the honor to see. If Ang Lee can make another movie with the talent, beauty and passion of this one, I will be the first in line.
Extraordinary movie. Please see it!
posted on 24 Aug 2009Had the enormous pleasure of an advance screening of Brokeback last night. It is truly an amazing piece of work. Still this morning my heart is filled with the emotion this movie evokes. It's rare to see quality like this. The acting is impeccable. Heath deserves every award nomination he's received. The performance is nothing short of incredible and I was astonished of his skill. Of course Ang Lee has shot and directed a beautiful picture. The writing is superb. The subtlety of the extraordinary delivery was exemplified when a few word line could speak so much. You will feel the intensity of emotion of these men and their wives too. This movie is nothing short of brilliant.
Brokeback Mountain
posted on 24 Aug 2009The printed story is just as compelling as the movie. Jack Twist and Ennis Del Mar, two cowboys portrayed by Jake Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger in the film. I personally think it's going to be an American Classic and anyone who disagrees should just notice the awards this movie has already garnered. The only problem is that it isn't available everywhere in every theater. The plot, is nicely done to flow with Annie Proulx's story. The acting is wonderfully done by Gyllenhaal and Ledger and the themes, music, and ideas are simply splendid. I think this movie goes to show the struggles faced by two people in love and I honestly think that people still conceal their relationships for the pleasure of society. Sadly though, Jack's death comes when he is apart from Ennis and that wouldn't have been the case had society not been how it is still today. I think Ang Lee and all of the cast and crew should feel exceptionally well for creating such a powerful and emotional film. And with any luck, more and more people will see this movie and hopefully everyone who lives like Ennis and Jack will soon be able to do so without the constant judgment from society. I give this movie 5 stars and a 10/10 rating. It's simply the best movie I've ever seen and I hope that it wins every award it's nominated for, from here on out.
Anne, honey, it's about the hair...
posted on 24 Aug 2009Brokeback Mountain is an amazing movie, totally lives up to the hype. Yes, the acting is flat-out amazing (you can tell the cast are loving their juicy roles), great scenery, subtle direction, haunting dramatic arcs, blah blah blah...you've heard all this before, right? Listing this flicks many, many towering achievements would take page upon page of text, so I'll take the easy way out and list the flaws. Hmmm, let me think...ummm...well, it's kind of annoying that a few not-very-explicit same-sex clinches have populist commentators claiming that Brokeback Mountain is the vanguard of some sort of giant left-wing conspiracy to destroy western society, but that wacky reaction isn't this films fault (one low-budget movie can hardly be blamed for that). Lets face it, despite all the hysteria about the "shocking" subject matter, the only genuinely shocking aspect is Anne Hathaway's wig. In a movie this perfect, one bad wig sticks out like dogs balls. While watching, I started to wonder if it was some sort of test that Ang Lee wanted to put himself through. "This movie is just too perfect", one can imagine Ang thinking. "I'll never top this...I'd better put in one tiny flaw, so that I've still got a chance to make an even better movie in the future". Hence the wig, although it must be said that Anne's excellent performance transcends it with ease. If this masterpiece doesn't win Best Picture I'll eat my hat (or maybe that wig, instead).
amazing
posted on 24 Aug 2009This movie didn't wow me completely until I went home and found myself thinking about it later. An amazing achievement in cinema, especially in the performances. This proves that amazing effects and cheap laughs aren't the only attributes that Hollywood recognizes anymore and it's great to see that two people can have a gay relationship without being the total metro stereotype of gay. The acting of the two wives goes largely underrated, as Michelle Williams especially becomes a cornerstone of the storytelling. Jack Twist and Ennis Delmar should go down as two unforgettable people in movie lore. The powerful ending really suggests what could have been and leaves you thinking. It sort of yearns for a sequel that could never come, (and shouldn't come as it would really be a disservice to this film). The only thing i can think to do now is to watch it again, and notice all the clues to what is about to happen. Some may say it's overrated or perhaps morally wrong, but I doubt they saw what I saw- which was a film of amazing quality all around. I also doubt they saw the impact of it in the theater I was in, with more than a few adults in tears near the end.
Flawless
posted on 24 Aug 2009I saw Brokeback Mountain about a month ago and have never had a movie effect me in the way that this one has. I have spent hours and hours thinking about it every day since I saw it....I can't even begin to describe how this movie has effected me. It was the most beautiful, touching and emotionally stimulating movie I have ever seen. Most movies I see, I forget about soon after, but Brokeback Mountain has completely captivated me. I give a standing ovation to the cast of this incredible movie. They have left a permanent mark on my heart and sole that I will never forget. I still find myself weeping when I think of the love and pain involved in such a remarkable story. I took this movie very literally and maybe that is why it has engrossed me the way it has, but the incredibly talented acting in this movie is so believable that you can't help but think it's real. Thank you to the writers and actors in this movie, it was absolutely superb and nobody else could have done a better job because it was flawless. Thank you for touching my soul.
John Wayne is Probably Trembling In His Grave
posted on 24 Aug 2009In 1963, in Wyoming, the rancher Ennis Del Mar (Heath Ledger) and the rodeo cowboy Jack Twist (Jake Gynllenhaal) are hired to watch the sheep along the summer in the Brokeback Mountain. In a cold night, the get drunken and have sexual intercourse after months of loneliness. When their assignment ends, Jack moves to Texas and Ennis to Riverton and they raise families of their own. Years later, when they meet each other, a passionate bond connects them and they fall in love for each other. They affair lasts for more than twelve years when a tragedy happens."Brokeback Mountain" is a dramatic romance, with great and brave performances of Heath Ledger and Jake Gynllenhaal and magnificent landscapes. However, the story about the forbidden and repressed love between two cowboys is not for all tastes including mine and this movie is overrated. The characters do not assume their relationship and betray their wives and families, and their gay thing is despicable, since both are in lust, not in love for each other. Further, I was raised watching western movies with tough cowboys like John Wayne, and this image is very difficult for me to be dissociated. Ang Lee seems to want to impact this "Malboro" image. Last but not the least, the career of the Chinese director Ang Lee needs to return to his origins: after the terrible "Hulk", directing a movie with cowboys-gay is quite surrealistic. Surprisingly many people liked it. My vote is six.Title (Brazil): "O Segredo de Brokeback Mountain" ("The Secret of Brokeback Mountain")
The ultimate portrayal of 75% of America - IDIOTS
posted on 22 Aug 2009First off, let me say, this is NOT a homophobic post. I felt like I needed to say that for those people who aren't the best listeners/readers and can't figure out on their own.This movie is the perfect portrayal of 75% of the people in America - IDIOTS WHO DON'T KNOW HOW TO STRUCTURE OUT A HEALTHY FUTURE FOR THEMSELVES. That was one of the best things about the movie though - is how it kept hammering down on the point that IF YOU DENY WHO YOU REALLY ARE, AND DON'T DO EXACTLY WHAT YOU WANT TO BE DOING WITH YOUR LIFE - THEN YOUR LIFE IS GOING TO GET MESSED UP. (aka you're gonna upset people, you're gonna be unhappy and missing something inside and it's going to show, and you'll end up alone and miserable). The movie was extremely hard to enjoy while viewing, because almost every character in the movie was an annoying, brainless hillbilly. During the first section of the movie, when they're actually up on the mountain, it had me wondering "what the heck motivated these guys to want to do this movie?". Not just because they aren't gay in real life and have to get all gay (like really intensely gay) up on each other, but because aside from the intense making out and BF'ing, they are just a couple of BORING LOSERS. Who wants to spend their life herding sheep on a mountain? Day and night? And especially in the 60's - possibly the most amazing decade in our history??? Get a LIFE!!! Jake Gyllenhaal's character was really gross anyways. I don't really get it. If I was gay, and was going to love someone over Michelle Williams and my 2 daughters, it'd have to be a pretty hot dude like Kevin Barnes or that Shane dude from The L Word. Anyways, the movie really picks up once they get off the mountain and get married and we start watching their lives go by at like a YEAR PER MINUTE. it's impossible to have a bad movie when you are seeing only the entertaining stuff in a couple of people's lives. There was a massive amount of foreshadowing, which made things easy to call out but none of the scenarios were ever too cliché - they were all entertaining and effective. I am still surprised it won Best Picture, but it's a very solid and very different movie. All performances were solid - Heath Ledger was great, Michelle Williams was perfect, Gylenhaal was crazy and wildly entertaining but still extremely unattractive, Quaid was believable in his role, annnnd Anne Hathaway was surprisingly awesome in her part. I still think they should have picked someone else to play Donnie Darko's part...JACK TWIST?!??!?!Congrats Ang Lee - your HULK was really bad... way to recover!
Powerful, Numbing
posted on 20 Aug 2009I just saw this at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) to a packed house (with Ang Lee present for today's screening). And I have to say, it absolutely transfixed me and was worth the watch. Out of 24 movies I screened at the TIFF this year, this was the only one I rated a 10/10! Three things really stood out for me making this a stand-out of a film:1) HONESTY: Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal really pulled this off. I wasn't expecting performances so real and nuanced, and was warmly surprised. Kudos, also, to Mr. Lee for making such a poignant and refreshingly honest film!2) STORY: Great story-telling. In fact you're not actually being *told* a story. The story unfolds and the viewer watches what happens pulling you in. What a great experience! In fact, I want to experience this story again -- I'm going to look for the short story.3) NUMBING: In a thought-provoking kind of way. I left the theatre digesting the story even as I sat on the streetcar thinking about the characters. I cared for them, and wondered what could/might happen to them after the screen went black. My mind was playing out scenarios and in that sense, it was numbing, in a thought-provoking, emotionally heavy way.This is powerful cinema and is definitely worth checking out. It's the best Ang Lee film I've seen to date (I've seen most, but not all of his feature films).
Brokeback mountain being considered a love classic
posted on 20 Aug 2009I do not write a spoiler word for word, but the movie is discussed in detail. Therefore, if you haven't seen it, do not continue. There are many opinions on whether or not this movie is wrong/right. There are arguments about the homosexual nature of the film, the controversy, etc. I feel brokeback mountain is an amazing love story that will become a classic. I feel one should not see it as a man w/ man affair. But rather two people who found love yet because of certain circumstances could not be together. That is the beauty of the story. Their hearts belonged to each other, yet one can dream, one can love yet one has commitments. They are committed to their families. They are faced with the choice of following their hearts or doing what is right. They choose to stay with their families, a sacrifice to anyone who has ever truly loved. They continue their lives yet can not forget the love they feel for one another. I understand infidelity is shrugged upon. I do not think it okay, yet this movie is not for you to judge, it is for you to understand where these people were coming from, in their shoes. How our actions set the path for our futures. How humans make sacrifices for the better good. That is what makes this a classic. It touches on human emotions, on the one thing we let get away. I haven't had an extramarital affair, but I do have regrets, and I have made decisions that didn't come from the heart but the head. Do not judge this movie on the basis of homosexuality, but accept it as a love story, a tale. The Bridges of Madison County was a controversial film in the 90's because it romanticized infidelity. It is very similar to BBM. Meryl Streep has died and asks her children to throw her ashes at the bridge explaining to them this is where she was happiest and Begin's to them her tale. (the bridge was their place/their meaning her and her lover). She tells them how she sacrificed for them, stayed with them, but now in death she wants to be with the man she loves, at the place they loved. Similar to Jack Twists request to have his ashes thrown at BBM, where he was happiest, the place they loved. How can one not shed a tear to that? Unfortunately his ashes never made it there, yet their love will live on. One can see it in Ennis's eyes as he looks upon the shirt and postcard. One can use their imagination as far as what he meant by "I swear". Anyway, just had to comment on this love story.
I can't sleep since I saw it!!
posted on 20 Aug 2009I am 25-year-old Spanish who loves cinema very much, but it is the first time I feel impressed enough to write a comment (first of all, I beg your pardon if my English is not very good). I saw the film 4 days ago and I cannot take it from my mind.Next day it was my birthday and I had not the energy to get out from bed to celebrate it with my family. I was surrounded by presents and all the stuff and I was all the time elsewhere, in Brokeback Mountain It is the most impressive, beautiful and emotive film I have seen in all my life. It is full of moments that do not let you breath because your throat is closed by emotion (I am crying right now). I do not know why I feel so affected (my friends liked the film very much, but they do not feel the same as I do) but it has come right to my heart. I am even a bit angry at Ang Lee for making me feel like this! Cinema is supposed to provide you a good time, entertainment, and, in the case of good films, a period of reflection and discussion with friends, but it is not supposed to turn your life upside down!!!! I know it sounds exaggerated, but it is what I feel and I have felt released to discover that many reviewers feel like me. I think this film is a celebration of love in its purest state and it has made me reconsider my whole conception of life: I am a very happy girl who happens to have a heterosexual relationship (it seems that I am lucky because I love in the "proper" way, and nobody takes into account that love has no a proper form, because it hits your heart, not your mind, and it is what makes it beautiful). Besides, I live in the 20th century in a big town and it seems (at least in theory) that homosexuality is accepted by society. However, sometimes I feel self-absorbed by my job and my social life and my boyfriend is the last of my list. After seeing this film, it won't happen again; I am lucky because I can bring my relationship to the light, whereas Ennis and Jack spend their lives hiding from society (my heart ached as I saw them growing older without being together) although it is the most beautiful love story I have ever seen. It shows that love brings life to us: Ennis spend all his life in a gloomy, sad mood except when he is with Jack, in these moments he is at ease and his face lightens. I was all the time desiring to shout at him: "Go with him, stupid!! It is your life, do not allow society to handle it!", but I suppose there were different times. The acting of both Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal is amazing (in contrast to other viewers, I cannot choose one of them over the other) and Michelle Williams offers a brilliant performance as the devastated Alma. The other actors provide very realistic performances too. I think that the main merit of this film is the constrained way in which the story is told. The looks and the silences (mainly in the cases of Ennis and Alma) are more telling than words. Seeing Ennis crying the first time they part, and then Jack's tears when he goes to Mexico goes right to your heart, much more than any love declaration. Besides, Lee does not use the easy resource of portraying a homophobic society in which homosexuals are despised. The only perspectives in the film are Jack's and Ennis' and it makes the film more intimate and beautiful. To end, I want to ask a question: Am I the only one who have spent the last sleepless night trying to find an alternative ending? Mr Lee: I want Ennis and Jack to be together forever!!
Ang Lee 's telenovela
posted on 20 Aug 2009Kindness for my friend who invited me to the cinema exhorted me to be patient and try hard to replay to this question: If after 15 or 20 minutes you cannot find any reason for the nominee(Leone d'oro 2005 in Venice)are you an alien or what? We (both) incredulous hearing a horrible dialogs (it is well known that we do have the best translators in the world)the blond cow boy especially!The least emotional movie I ever remember. I should say regarding the motions of the actors and their "love" expressions: it was like being in a plastic world. No point if the story is about gay or else love. Just fake. It reminded us the dialogues of telenovelas from Argentina or Brasil of the 80s. So obvious that I could guess what they were going to say. By the way, why the wife waited a half an hour to divorce from the blond one? Was it an editing mistake? When we went out,it was like liberation from big cosmic bore. My friend is a Ang Lee fun but I think even directors get old, some becomes genius some others no. Just to remind a unique "gay love" movie: Philadelphia. Do you agree?
pretty good movie,wonderful characters but no masterpiece here
posted on 20 Aug 2009These comments are my analysis of the movie and its different scenes so SPOILER WARNING..........we saw brokeback mountain, yesterday mhhhhh....I was probably expecting too much after all the hype around it well it is a good movie, but far from the masterpiece everybody declare... it is probably more 'revolutionary" for the American public as it is a gay cowboy story... Not a lot of the emotional moments touched me...is it Oscar material? definitely for the performance of Heath Ledger (Ennis Del Mar) but for the director, not sure.I think there are problems with the direction and edition of the movie, or maybe not problems but things that I don't like : the way Ennis learned about Jacks death, there is no emotion there...a shame ... now analyzing both personalities: jack clearly "is" gay, he is hungry for feelings and sex and as Ennis doesn't give him enough , he goes elsewhere to find them (male whore in Mexico, cheating on his wife with another woman and maybe even the bearded character,...) Ennis clearly has difficulty in showing and accepting any feelings for jack or other people (his wife, the barmaid,his daughter,..) so all his life he is like waiting for someone, something .The best scene for (emotionnally speaking) is when they met again years after their first encounter. Ennis waiting nervously playing with his laughter, his happy smile seeing his friend again (rare for him) and the kisses and hugs that they can't restrain....
Good, But Not Classic Love Story
posted on 20 Aug 2009The Joe Cool Review: Brokeback Mountain(2005) Starring: Heath Ledger as Ennis del Mar, Jake Gyllenhaal as Jack Twist, Michelle Williams as Alma, and Anne Hathaway as Lureen Newsome Plot: Two cowboys work a summer job at Brokeback Mountain, and forge a close personal relationship. Their secretive bond goes on for many years and affects not only themselves but those around them. Based on the story by E. Annie Proulx.Opener: First of all, if you haven't heard of this movie, you've probably lived under a rock for the past year. This little love story about two guys, caused quite a stir amongst people in 2005. Whether it was the political agendas, religions ones, homosexuals demanding rights or even something as trivial as the results of the Academy Awards, controversy surrounded this movie. Brokeback Mountain, I will boldly say, is probably the most controversial film since The Passion of the Christ. But the big question is that if you take away all the hype, all the politics and everything, does Brokeback Mountain equal a great film? The Good: Ang Lee has one thing going for him. He knows how to direct. Which is good, because of the fact he's a director. There are some beautiful visuals of them in the wilderness, and the story itself is molded together to form a well-directed film that I'm sure will be considered Ang Lee's visual masterpiece. Heath Ledger gives a great performance here as Ennis, who is obviously conflicted by his relationship with Jack and paranoid that he'll be caught by those around him. He works well with his co-stars and the result is a performance that was deserving of it's Oscar nomination. Not to mention he managed to create a voice for Ennis that sounds nothing like himself. Anne Hathaway should also be noted, because between this and Havoc she's really showing her acting chops as far as being outside of kiddie films. She's not in this movie that much because it's not really about her character, but you can tell she's ready for bigger and better things. Michelle Williams also does a good job as Alma.The Bad: Two things really hinder this movie from being a "classic". One is the character of Jack Twist. Not exactly Jake's performance of him, just the way the character was written. He just seems over-the-top at times, and really annoying. Not only that but the casting was all wrong as I don't buy him as a roughneck cowboy for a second, even with the mustache. The other thing that really hurt this film was it's first half. The entire time it showed them at Brokeback Mountain the first time, was extremely dull. It seemed like all they were doing was herding sheep and eating beans, with just a little bit of, "Oh I love you let's have sex" thrown in to get the point across. It took forever to get to that point. Luckily the second half picked up or else my opinion of this movie would not nearly be as favorable.The Ugly: Nothing in the movie really, unless you're seriously offended by the subject matter. In which case, why would you be reading a review of it or thinking about watching it? The Verdict: Brokeback Mountain is a good film, probably in the upper echelon of the 2005 films. The controversy and everything probably over-hyped it to the point where some people think it's better than it actually is. It's good, but nowhere near the "eye-opening" classic people are claiming it to be. I still recommended to anyone who appreciates a good love story, or a good film.Rating: ***1/2 of *****
The Greatest Love Story of All Time?
posted on 18 Aug 2009Two cowboys find romance one summer on Brokeback Mountain and spend the next twenty years trying to recapture it. This film, directed by Ang Lee, is certainly the most highly-acclaimed film of 2005 and will certainly be as big a winner at the Academy Awards as it was at the Golden Globes. However, is it, as some claim, the greatest love story ever told? The answer is a resounding no, and let me tell you why.I have three problems with the film, which are the story, the acting, and the film-making. Let me deal with them in reverse order. This film is horribly paced. It takes way too long to get started, and once it finally does it moves at a glacial pace. This is becoming more and more of a problem with films today. When I was growing up, if a film was two-and-half or three hours long, it was a given that it would be good because the studios wouldn't put out a film that long unless it dealt with epic events or themes which couldn't be contained in a mere two hours. Nowadays excessive length simply seems to be a sign that the filmmakers didn't find the story. Now, I look at long films with a bit of dread. Loved the scenery, Ang, but let's get on with it. The make-up department was also a problem. It did an abysmal job of aging Ledger, Gyllenhaal, and Anne Hathaway. When Ledger sits down with his daughter at the end, they seem more like brother and sister! The make-up definitely took me out of the movie.Next, the acting. One major problem: Heath Ledger. He does to "Brokeback Mountain" exactly what he did to "A Knight's Tale," "The Four Feathers," "The Order" and "The Brothers Grimm." And that ain't pretty. He doesn't have the charisma necessary to be a movie star, or the talent necessary to be an actor. He makes Keanu Reeves look like Lawrence Olivier. Here, with the monosyllabic Ennis, Health tries the less is more school of acting which has served men like John Wayne and Clint Eastwood so well, except that he exaggerates his less to the point that his less is much more than more. He struck me as utterly false with each of his little gestures or guttural pronouncements. I like Jake Gyllenhaal better, but he seemed a little awkward here. Whether that was intentional or a result of uncertainness of his behalf as an actor, it seemed to suit the character. However, poor Jake was not able to generate any romantic chemistry with Heath Ledger. (That's no crime, I haven't seen an actress able to do it either!) The story. This is not a great love story. Great love stories are tales of sacrifice. No one sacrifices anything in this film. Wait a second, let me correct that, both Ennis and Jack are willing to sacrifice the love and respect and trust of their spouses and their children in a vain attempt to periodically recapture a magic moment in their youths, but neither of the men is willing to sacrifice anything for the other. This is not "Casablanca" love, this is "Citizen Kane" love – love on your own terms. Granted, the men face formidable obstacles to their "love," but in a great love story, the lovers overcome their obstacles or die trying. Romeo didn't walk away from Juliet because his family didn't approve. He died instead. Geez. Come on. Men certainly lived together in 1963, albeit less openly than now. They've been doing it for thousands of years. Ennis loved the life he openly projected more than he loved Jack or he wouldn't have made the choices he did. And Jack… Did he even love Ennis at all? Despite his much stated desire for them to settle on a ranch together, it seemed his commitment to Ennis was little more than skin deep. His attitude was clearly revealed when he admits he was with other men because he only got what he needed from Ennis three or four times a year and he needed it more. What was he referring too? Love? I think not. Ennis loved him year round in his own way. What Jack only got three or four times a year was sex. That's a very adolescent view of love. I assume Annie Proulx managed to bring more depth to their relationship in the book than Ang Lee managed to do in this movie.This film was an examination of selfishness. Unwilling to make a commitment to their "true" loves, they dissipated their passion in unfruitful unions which deprived their partners and children to the attention and love they deserved. Didn't their spouses or children deserve better? Granted, many homosexual men marry for appearances, or in a misguided attempt to deny their sexuality, but that doesn't make them heroes or martyrs. I would have a preferred to see a movie about the two old homosexual ranchers Ennis heard about in his youth who were murdered by their judgmental neighbors. Those guys sounded like real men who really loved each other and were willing to sacrifice for each other. There was potential for a great love story there. But not here.I found myself withholding judgment on this film until the very last scene. I was hoping that in one of the final scenes with his daughter Ennis would reveal something of himself that would make his life something more than a lie. I was hoping he would do something courageous worthy of his love for either Jack or his daughter, but he didn't.A disappointment.
Saddlesore, blood and whisky
posted on 18 Aug 2009The acting performances in Brokeback are exemplary. It's sedately scripted, subtle in its suggestions and captivating throughout. Fantastic emotion from Gyllenhaal unlike any I've seen on film. A truly believable pleasure. The power of the scenery and the meaning behind the mountain provide us with an emotional wreckage of thoughts as we share their experieneces. Michelle Williams gave an outstanding performance. Their relationship is universal, the joy, pain and suffering through repression is shocking and helps us realise how far we've come in our ideals and society. Love is love and it is told plainly here.
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A brilliant movie
posted on 28 Aug 2009I went to see the movie as a gift to myself during the holidays. I knew friends/family who wanted to see it too but were unable when I went. I had decided on my recent birthday to write a summary of what it is like to live in my world and now I don't have to because the movie brilliantly expresses all of the emotions I want to share with my family, my friends and my world. Like many people who have commented I am still haunted by it's power and content and I've decided to critique my thoughts and reflections so I can share and discuss with other people in my world once they have seen the story. I can relate and relive so, so many emotions and experiences that the author has expressed. I've listed the excellent characters and made a list of the emotions that I felt were expressed. Each day I can think of more to add, so the list is not complete in any manner. My list contains some of the following emotions - Abandonment, Ambition, Anticipation, Belittement, Belonging, Best Memories, Best times, Bigotry, Companionship, Completeness, Conviction, Cruelty, Danger, Deception, Denail, Dependency, Depression, Desertion, Desire, Destiny, Disappointment, Emptiness, Failure, Faith/Denomination, Faithfulness, Family, Fear, Friendship, Fulfillment, Greed, Guilt, Hate crimes of murder, Let-down, Loneliness, Loss, Misunderstanding, Natural, Passion, Prejudice, Pretence, Pride, Prostitution, Reflections, Relationships, Scared, Support, Uncertain, Understanding, Unfaithfullness, Unknown, Unspoken love, Memories, moving on, acceptance. I can walk a mile in this movie, it's a reflection of my life and a special person I loved.