A lot of hype--VERY little in the delivery.

Rating: 4/10 (11 January 2006)

I saw this film fully prepared to ache for the two main characters. I looked forward, in that awful/sweet way, to my heart breaking for the 2 hours or so i'd spend in the theater. I was sure i'd identify with that primal unrequited-love-pain we've all felt at some point in our life, tho i was SURE mine would pale in comparison to these two character's plight. I was sure i'd feel all of that when i saw how desperately they yearned for one another. Not carnally, but for one another's soul and heart. But most of all--i wanted to see and feel that they were truly 'in love' and devoted to the ideas of one another for the 20 odd years this film spans.
What i got instead was a dull, drawn out, not NEARLY as well acted as expected, lack-luster film that was way too long, and way too empty. First let me say--i admire both of these men as actors. Though I found Ennis to be well portrayed by Heath Ledger, after the first 45 minutes of his chronic mumbles and grunts for answers, and Jake's (Jack's) VERY fake country accent--i was reduced to eye rolls and the occasional snicker. As the film progressed, I was looking for them to finally connect in some emotionally poignant, or at the very least enlightened, way. And that does NOT mean over a bottle of whiskey, and a romp in the tent. I believed, thru other reviews that i'd read, that these two men would fall deeply and completely in love with one another's souls--not just the excitement of their bonking. If this was to be just the starting point of a truer and deeper love that was to evolve from that first romp, i wish it had been portrayed better, because i never felt any emotional connection or bond between the two, until the very end...over two very old and bloodied shirts, and it even that was pretty weakly done, at best.
While Heath was better at displaying a man agonized by feelings he'd never imagined could exist for him, Jack simply struck me as a gay man--determined to push his wishes and desires into Ennis' life--right from the get'go. Jack's relentless pursuit of Ennis was both frustrating and sickening for me, especially as he expressed that his "needs" weren't being met when Ennis had to postpone yet another 'weeklong fishing trip' because of his job. Jack was both needy, and manipulative--and i never felt pity or compassion for him...not once.
In fact, his famously quoted "I wish i could quit you" sealed the deal for me. Ick and double ick--and get the "bleep" out of Ennis' life, you loser! He further disgusted me by his open ended eye-lash batting at other men--whether it was the Rodeo clown he offered a beer to, or the husband of his wife's girlfriend. I mean--for cryin' out loud! If you want to be with men--DIVORCE YOUR WIFE, and be with men. Don't torture Ennis into believing he's 'the only one' OR your wife into believing SHE has your fidelity when you obviously yearn for something else. He was a selfish, self indulgent man who couldn't possibly have truly 'loved' Ennis as Ennis loved him. Thus--any idea of this being a "great love story" were foiled for me.
Ennis' struggle was at least palpable and real. And tho i wish the direction of his character hadn't been quite so much of a "strong and silent" cliché, i was moved by this man who was truly tormented by his self-imposed purgatory, and his knowledge that he was not strong enough to live any differently.
So, in the end--the film was bleak (despite the beautiful scenery) and disappointing. I really wanted to love this movie. There have been so many other indi films made covering similar subject matter (tho not filmed with head-lining cowboys, mind you) with much more finesse, and more heart. I'll stick with small budget films for my thought provoking media in the future.