Age of Innocence (Wharton novel) recycled

Rating: 4/10 (13 January 2006)

I cannot grasp why film-goers consider BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN genre- breaking except that it's a big budget movie with famous stars. The material just reminded me of other literature (the play THE CHILDREN'S HOUR) and early films (MADCHEN IN UNIFORM) that dealt with gay themes as well or better many decades ago. THE LARAMIE PROJECT (play version) blows this away without even needing landscape cinematography, which Ang Lee deliberately photographs like a Cinemascope western of yore. Sitting through the slowest parts of BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN reminded me of Lee's previous ICE STORM, another film greatly overrated whereas his SENSE AND SENSIBILITY, if anything, is under esteemed.
Perhaps because I see around six gay-themed films a year, I found the predictable qualities to this period picture harkened back to not other "buddy movies" or even westerns (except for the cattle-drives of BIG RIVER), but the unlikely counterpiece of THE AGE OF INNOCENCE, with Ennis substituting for Edith Wharton's Newland Archer in several key ways.
The quiet, laid-back, and already engaged Archer fulfills societal expectations, without any ambition to do more than successfully fit it; he never has a creative thought nor a passionate yearning until he meets the Countess; suddenly, his life feels vital but he fears social condemnation so he closets his emotions; he is offered several chances to declare his passion, bow out of his engagement and live with the Countess, but he denies himself the fulfillment of lust. Even at the pathetic close, when both are free, he will not act on his instincts and hook up with the Countess.
The parallels lie in the main character, the object of lust (who has a looser past and is quite willing to deny social dictates), the repressive period (whether an limited circle or limitless skyline), the failure to act, and the failure to amount to much otherwise (love goes to no greater sacrifice). The 1990s film of THE AGE OF INNOCENCE miscasts Daniel Day-Lewis as Archer (the guy should appear bland and well-fed) and the gorgeous Michelle P. as a flawed, earthy woman (who should possess a sensual chemistry rather than breath-taking beauty). Just as Jack in BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN is far more well-traveled than Ennis, Wharton's outsider has traveled extensively. Although Wharton's work circles in a wealthier repressive society, plenty of lovers made choices to live outside that society as the Countess well knows; the impoverished Jack, too, knows alternatives exist, and takes risks in life (the way of the rodeo) and uses charm to gain power and prestige as she did, marrying rich.