the movie is missing many things

Rating: 7/10 (1 January 2010)

I just finished watching Brokeback Mountain. I really enjoyed the film and felt for the characters. However, I found some problems throughout the film that I would like to point out.
First off, they jump into this raunchy sex scene for no reason. When the movie starts, both of the characters are in the wilderness and don't even seem to really like each other. There is no flirting whatsoever. Even if the writer intended to keep their love for each other a secret, after the secret is told they still continue to not display any actions that express their love for one another. It's just strange how the movie jumps from two men just having to work together to a surprise sex session in the tent. There was only, perhaps, three scenes of actual flirting, when they were wrestling, when Ennis put his arm around Jack, and towards the end right before Jack is hurt by Ennis not running away with him. However, they just end up talking like two friends most of the movie, just not enough holding each other, kissing, or staring at each other. And Ennis is impossible to understand, he just mumbles everything.
Another problem I had with the film was when Jack visits Ennis. Filled with joy, Ennis grabs Jack and pushes him up against the wall making someone watching this movie believe Ennis is grabbing Jack to push him away from the house to share a passionate kiss. But, the push just ends up putting Ennis and Jack in front of his porch for Ennis' wife to catch them kiss. I feel this part sort of tricked viewers and was just too soon for his wife to find out.
I'm surprised in the end that the parents didn't realize that Ennis was Jack's gay lover. But, maybe they did, I'm not really sure. I felt that it wasn't made clear what happened to Jack, did he die from a beating because someone found out he was gay or because of the accident Jack's wife describes? Was that just a painful thought Ennis had about Jack's demise?
Despite many problems with the film, I still did enjoy it overall. There were just a few problems with it, but I think the cinematography was spectacular and the talented two actors saved the movie.