My mind won't forget this film

Rating: 10/10 (20 January 2006)

As a screenwriter, how I wish I could have written this film. From the deepest part of me this is a beautiful, beautiful masterpiece which has been wrenching at my gut for days. It has left me with the thoughts 'why didn't he say this? Why didn't this happen?..but ultimately the only consideration is: 'if only they could have been together, which is what both men wanted.' How deeply I felt for Jack who, despite all his efforts, cannot realise his simplest dreams. (not even in death when his old man refuses to send his ashes to Brokeback)
It is criminal how humanity treats what is the most divine thing of all: love (no matter between which adults) and how it has been turned into something salacious by certain individuals. eg. the religious right in America who really glory in making everyone feel miserable sinners and who believe people have to live the way they have chosen to. Nor should they be allowed to dictate how this love should be depicted on screen -so 10 points to Ang Lee for his refreshing honesty.
I also applaud a film which shows real men, as it happens in real life and not stereotypically versions of camp gays. It might be uncomfortable for the straight men among us, but why should it be? These are serious flaws in society that need to be examined once and for all. I find it all the more difficult to understand those that have given one star - we're all different, I know, and sometimes a film speaks to you and sometimes it doesn't but in this case I can only assume they have closed their hearts they have been indoctrinated by the MTV 10 sec pop-blurb sort of film where you need the concentration span of a fly. (What is revealing is the anger they have inside)
I have spoken to nearly all my male friends, straight and gay, and all have said they have experienced a love and longing for, maybe, their best mate, that they might never have expressed or else a deep regret that it was never taken further. In the film we are talking soul-love here, spiritual love which, when it cannot be denied, will spill over into true physical expression. This impression is shown admirably in the strength of two wonderful performances of the actors Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal. One, more accepting and braver to ignore what others might think to experience the only happiness he has with Ennis, the other deeply hurt as a young man and thrashing about internally trying to come to terms with the desire to just follow Jack on his path but not allowing himself to (his inner mind's thoughts and criticisms that really belong to others weighing him down) He knows he is happy with Jack, he knows that he would want to be with Jack because love is an energy and transcends the two protagonists; it's a soul mate thing. Not for one moment did I think about the sexuality of these actors or of the characters they portrayed, I just saw two men's love for one another. And what is the utter beauty of the film is a complex story told so simply in the most natural of surroundings. It convinces, it causes you to feel your own emotions and ultimately this film works so perfectly; it is so heart-rending because I, myself, have been there.