A mountain of a masterpiece.

Rating: 10/10 (30 April 2006)

Hailed as breathtaking and an instant classic, Ang Lee's Brokeback Mountain based on the sort story by Annie Proulx, with outstanding performances from lead and supporting actors alike, a spectacular yet haunting screenplay, superb cinematography and a beautiful score, certainly does not disappoint. Few can rise from their seats after enduring the 2 hour 14 minute magic that is Brokeback Mountain with their hearts free from pain and their eyes free from tears. Labelled as 'the gay western' this movie pushes all boundaries. Ennis Del Mar (played by Heath Ledger) the mysterious and reserved ranch hand from Riverton spends the summer working for Joe Aguirre (Randy Quaid) shepherding on Brokeback Mountain with bubbly Texan rodeo cowboy Jack Twist (Jake Gyllenhaal.) Their friendship and feelings toward each other develop over the summer with one drunken night resulting in sex and the wordless revelation of their love. The relationship remains intimate throughout the duration of the summer until life gets in the way, the summer is over and they go their separate ways, to get married and raise a family, leaving behind Brokeback Mountain and a secret love they once shared.
Eventually after 4 years the urge to see the man he loves is too much for Twist who arranges a visit. Upon meeting it is clear the passion they once held for each other has only greatened during their parting. However due to a haunting childhood memory and a strict code of masculinity to which he feels he must conform, Ennis Del Mar is not prepared to leave his wife to be with him one true love Jack Twist. Heath Ledgers' portrayal of Del Mar is breathtaking. This demanding complex role is pulled off with consummate expertise. 'Gay cowboys' would be easy to camp up yet Twist and Del Mar are not the stereotypical feminine gay characters you see in Hollywood, but are like real cowboys; as masculine as they get. Having to portray masculine yet gay cowboys, of a time when homosexuality was thought of as a mental illness, demands outstanding skill yet Gyllenhaal and Ledger are flawless. The women of Brokeback Alma Del Mar and Laureen Twist were also performed with remarkable talent, by up and coming young stars Anne Hathaway (The Princess Diaries) and Michelle Williams (Dawsons creek.) All round acting was spectacular. Also spectacular was the cinematography, this movie is simply a casket of beautiful shots, strewn together with beautiful backing music. Twice I noticed the lighting was a little dark but overall it was superb. Makeup and costume departments alike also went all out. Although spanning over 20 years on screen but covering considerably less in real life they managed to turn 4 youthful beautiful stars gradually into the old (and slightly less attractive) you see by the end of the film. Although fantastic this film does have one major fault. It is too fantastic, too heartrending, too moving. Never before have I been to a film and not been able to get the story out of my mind for days after the screen goes black. It is haunting. Though I could not personally relate to any of the characters being neither gay or a cowboy or ever having been in a similar situation, I was indescribably moved. This is a beautiful piece of cinema and a break through for gay acceptance. I only wish that homosexuality was accepted in Jack and Ennis' time, but of course then this movie would not have been created. Go see it, however be warned, you will cry, you will have a pain in your heart and your mind will be possessed by Jack and Ennis' story, but you will also have witnessed what in my opinion is the most stunning film in cinema history.
Brokeback Mountain: brilliant, beautiful but heartrendingly haunting.