A fateful tale of two cowboys who meet and fall into forbidden love.

Rating: 10/10 (27 December 2005)

The movie is a fateful tale of two cowboys who meet and fall into forbidden love. The story is really not a gay story at all--this could just as easily have been Romeo and Juliet and what little sexual content there is is very tastefully done.
The real story of course is the one taking place off the screen where hypocritical defenders of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness (for the unborn or otherwise rich, white, male and straight at least) have chosen this movie as yet another front-line in America's unending culture wars. The real message of this movie however is that life is short and we should live it as we can, if we can, while we can. It is also a study of how hate and intolerance ruin people's lives everyday especially as we internalize these forces into our own flawed decision making.
For me the film induces you to associate people you know, probably in your own family, with each of the characters and that is what brings it so close to home and draws forth such a strong emotional response. It is also an insightful foray into the complexities of life in rural, lower-middle income America--especially for a foreign-born director.
If you have the time and proclivity, I would highly recommend Brokeback Mountain.