A deeply moving film - an exceptional artistic achievement!

Rating: 10/10 (24 May 2008)

Over the years, I have seen lots of films of very diverse origins. I don't watch movies to be sermonized, lectured and preached upon. I don't like to be pushed around and manipulated by frantic editing, by an artificially fast rhythm, or by incessant music. I have come to appreciate truthfulness & subtlety in art and in film: the beauty of a smile, the intensity of a glance, the profound meaning of silence.
"Brokeback Mountain is an extraordinarily special film. One of the most touching love stories in decades, Brokeback Mountain slowly weaves its magic, moving forward at a languid pace and ever so gently working its way into your heart. There's no rushing into the film, no need to fill every moment with dialogue. Some movies take their time laying the story out and settling over the audience. Brokeback Mountain is one of those films. [] One of the most beautiful love stories to hit the screen in years, Brokeback Mountain is as close to being a perfect film as you can get." (from "Brokeback Mountain - A Truly Memorable Love Story", Movie Review by Rebecca Murray, About.com).
I must say that though I had read the brilliant set of Annie Proulx's short stories ("Close Range: Wyoming Stories") prior to the release of Ang Lee's film, I was not prepared for what awaited me when I saw Brokeback Mountain for the first time almost 2½ years ago. I was floored, transfixed, shattered, speechless. Since I share the feelings expressed by "carr-6 from Sweden" on April 12, I'm tempted to quote her: "My whole life will be divided into before Brokeback and after Brokeback. It quite literally changed my life. I was rocked to my core. The movie took over my head and my heart and I will never be the same. No movie has ever or will ever impact on me like this." After its glorious victory at the Venice International Film Festival, Ang Lee's unforgettable masterpiece was highly anticipated and, it lived up to the expectations. I have seen this film more times than any other film and, each time, I have inevitably been deeply moved.
BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN was named BEST PICTURE of 2005 by more than 30 groups, guilds & organizations around the world, and deservedly so. This film requires a certain maturity and open-mindedness from the viewer and might therefore not be everyone's cup of tea, but there is no denying that this film made history and is already a true classic. Brokeback Mountain does not fit the typical Hollywood mold and stands without a doubt as one of the most exceptional and best movies in the history of cinema. Very highly recommended.