Touching, dark, love story between two men.

Rating: 9/10 (28 August 2007)

Ennis Del Mar (Heath Ledger) is trying to find Work for the summer of 1963. Ennis is heard as a hired hand for herding sheep but he's not working along. Since an ambitious bull rider by the name of Jack Twist (Jake Gyllenhaal) works with Ennis for the summer. But these mens found an unusual friendship between them and it's turns into forbidden love. When the season ends, those two men part ways until several years later. They meet again and still have the same strong feeling for each other, despite both men do have an families. While Ennis and Jack tries to make their long affair work. When Ennis divorced his wife (Michelle Williams), which his wife knows his dark secret and the same time Ennis tries to be supported to his two daughter. While Jack is still married to his wife (Anna Hathaway) and they have an son. Ennis and Jack tried to make for their love work for almost twenty years and their sexual relationship suffers. While Ennis hides his true feelings for Jack. Since Jack is been always open to Ennis and his feelings.
Directed by Ang Lee ("Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon", "Hulk", "The Ice Storm") made an believable drama about the strong passionate forbidden love story between two men over nearly two decides. Ledger and Gyllenhaal offers excellent Oscar nominated performances in this one. Williams offers an fine Oscar nominated performance as Ledger's wife in the film, who's devastated finding out her husband's love affair with another man. Hathaway, Randy Quaid, Linda Cardellini and a bit part by Anna Faris offers good performances as well. This film won Three Oscars:including Best Director for Lee, Best Original Score by Gustavo Santaolalla (Babel, North Country, 21 Grams) and Best Adapated Screenplay by Larry McMurtry (The Last Picture Show, Terms of Endearment, Texasville) and Diana Ossana. It also nominated for two other Oscar nominations for Best Picture and Best Cinematography by Rodrigo Prieto (Alexander, 8 Mile, Original Sin).
DVD has an sharp anamorphic Widescreen (1.85:1) transfer and an good:Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound. The original DVD has four featurettes, which they are fairly interesting or entertaining. But there's two-disc Collector's Edition with additional DVD Features as well. This film might be overrated for some viewers, isn't for everybody and it will scared most male viewers away but it shouldn't. This is an extremely well made picture with plenty of heart, soul and an sense of humor. True, the film is occasionally slow and even distant. But it's certainly the most impressive Mainstream Gay Taboo Love Story by far in recent years. Don't miss this touching film. Based on a Short Story by Annie Proulx (The Shipping News). (**** ½/*****).