Banned in Malaysia/China but Still Amazing

Rating: 10/10 (4 February 2006)

I have been following the "hype" of this movie since day one and once I heard of its release, I was really looking forward to seeing it. First, because I'm a gay man who is in a closeted situation in a conservative society and second, because I have read the magnificent short story and the characters grow after each reading.
I was very disappointed (but not at all surprised) that this film was not picked up to be distributed in Malaysia due to its themes. I always found it mind-numbing that violent movies or movies with themes about assassination (ie. Munich) is acceptable in a peaceful Muslim country but a movie about love between two people (and a powerful one at that) is censored. I bring this up because the distributor said that themes in Munich would be more acceptable in a Muslim society but homosexuality is a no-go. I think that releasing this film would help bring some understanding and maturity to the subject.
So, I have to confess that I viewed this film on a pirated disc (which is one of the ways to see films in Malaysia - good or bad) but I do have the full intention of buying the DVD from Amazon when it comes out as well as see it in a theatre overseas sometime if I have the chance. The film is more than I expected it to be and I already had high expectations of it. Heath Ledger has grown so much as an actor and gives one of the most touching performances I have seen for a long time. Jake is beautiful as the frustrated and occasionally angry at the sorry situation that their in. My hat also goes off to the supporting cast, namely Michelle Williams and Anne Hathaway who portray the sad, suspecting wives to perfection.
Everything about this film, from the precise direction from Ang Lee and the 1997 script by Larry McMurty and Diana Ossana to the breathtaking cinematography of Wyoming by Rodrigo Prieto and the music by Rodrigo Prieto is balanced so well. This movie will leave a haunting memory of what could have and yet couldn't have been for Ennis and Jack. More than highly recommended.