More Than a Love Story

Rating: 10/10 (6 January 2016)

No matter how many times I watch this movie (5 or 6 times so far), it evokes every emotion from me, and puts it all on display. To watch these men struggle with themselves, fearing society's violence, really hits home for me, but not because I'm homosexual, but because I'm heterosexual.
I've been married to the same woman for nearly 17 years and in that time I've realized that love knows no boundaries. When we are in love, we are in love and even death shall not deter that love.
But for a gay man, at least at the time this film released, it is a completely different beast. Having one's life completely torn apart for loving in a way that is unacceptable is simply unacceptable. This film manages to drive this point home in every scene.
The film unfolds slowly, and for many it might prove boring, but with each new chapter of Ennis and Jack's socially unacceptable love-affair, we begin to understand the emotional harm we (as society) inflict upon others. Ang Lee does an excellent job of being unapologetic, and he does it without adding unnecessary effects or gimmicks.
This film is very direct, abrupt, blunt, and honest. No one is trying to draw you in with special effects, nor with unrealistic imagery. Instead, this film's beauty comes from its simplicity and its wonderful acting.
Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal's performances are flawless. Some complain about Ledger's mumbling, but I find it to be refreshing due to its realism - this goes back to Lee not trying to seduce you with slapstick, canned romance - the character that Ledger created was perfect, and I've met people that speak even worse than he does, so to those of you that hated Ennis apparently haven't been down South or in the backwoods of rural America.
If you want a view into the lives of two lovers going against the grain while trying to maintain a place of acceptance in society, then watch this film. If you can't sit for more than 2 hours without harming yourself, then you might want to go back to watching pointless movies that will do nothing for your life.
10/10 "There ain't no reins on this one," and I'll be watching this movie for years to come.