It's a great movie, but it does have problems

Rating: 8/10 (5 February 2006)

My initial review got some negative responses (justified) as I focused far too much on what I didn't like but failed to adequately point out how much of the film was brilliant.
First off the great aspects are numerous, it's a stunning, emotionally devastating film. The first half is flawless and gay or straight I can't imagine anyone not feeling for these guys. How the relationship is established seems so organic, not forced or part of some heavy handed "message" as so many other films dealing with issues like this are.
On a side note many of the early scenes culminating with the first sexual scene can be pretty funny if you imagine a person unaware of the plot watching it. Imagining the reaction from a viewer watching it cold is pretty funny. Sort of like the kiss in Deathtrap multiplied by 10.
I have no problem with the nature of the film and truly admire much of it... but why did it feel the need to denigrate children? Ennis dealing with children that never stopped screaming? Um, children may often be a pain but the way they are presented in this film is creepy. Screeching monsters that are beasts sucking the life out of the parents? What the hell is that about? That aspect actually seems to support a stereotype about gays. Jack hooking up with a Tomboy girl that suddenly becomes some cold methodical shrew? Some of this just seems arbitrary and at the service of the plot.
Were Homosexuals really being murdered in the U.S. to the point that this plot would make sense? The U.S. has problems (as every society does) but it's not like Iran where gays are killed on sight and hanged by the government. There was no reason that Jack and Ennis couldn't hook up after Ennis' divorce and find a way to be together.
While the tragic nature of the film is heart breaking I cant help but feel the film forced the events leading to the tragic end.
All that aside it really is a good movie, I recommend it highly. How can anyone not feel bad that Jack and Ennis didn't just get a place together?