Good, not the "Best Picture" some would have us believe

Rating: 8/10 (14 April 2006)

This film is a good film, no question about it. However, I think because of the subject matter, it is elevated to a level it never really attains on its own.
The performances are really good. Maybe too good. I'm not sure how the Jack character is portrayed in the book, but I found the character to be selfish and sniffling. I really had a hard time feeling any sort of empathy for the relationship as a whole. I did have empathy toward Ennis. His struggle to remain loyal to both of his relationships was far more compelling than Jack's constant moaning and groaning. The total disregard for his own family and Ennis' hurt the overall relationship in my opinion.
The film does tread the line I feared it would. There is a sense that the story wants you to believe that all cowboys have closeted homosexual feelings. Though it borders on this, Lee knows better than to try and push that and pulls back just enough to save it. My biggest fear was the relationship would be presented as common place just so as to validate it. It came close, but as I said, stopped just short of that.
Overall, a good film with very good performances and beautiful shots of America's grasslands.