Gay Cowboys. What more could you ask for?

Rating: 10/10 (18 February 2006)

The cinematography in this film is truly mind-blowing. No really, the best I've ever seen; forget LOTR.
The acting is great. Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhall are totally believable as two bisexual cowboys in love. Ledger has gotten a lot of praise for his role as Ennis, and deservedly so, but I think in this Gyllenhall's performance has not received the praise it deserves. If anything, his character is even more believable than Ledgers, but since I've already said they are both totally believable saying that would see me contradicting myself. Oh well, I'll say it anyway. He's great in it, and both of them deserve the Oscar for best actor.
The story is just that, a story. If you expect it to be realistic, your expectations are not going to be met (note how I refrained from saying you'd be disappointed). The short story by Annie Proulx, on which the film is based, was a highly praised piece of work when it was first published. The film doesn't stray far from the story and consequently the story of the film is great too. If, however, you're going to be put off this film, or if you don't like it, because of it's theme (love between two people of the same sex), then you do not deserve to see a film as good as this. It made me cry. And I don't cry - not even at funerals.
You may have guessed by now that I quite like this film. Well you'd be wrong. I don't like this film...I love it. I love everything about it. It looks great. The acting is great. The characters are great. The story is great. But not everything in this film is great . The accents are so strong, I probably only understood about 50% of what was said....Oh what the hell...the accents are great too! That said, I might be wrong. I think everything was great, but I was so caught up in the whole film, enjoying every single second of it, I might not have watched it objectively. But then again, surely that's a sign of greatness? Yes, I am sure, the film is well and truly...great. (PS> I won't say great again, promise).
Maybe I'm over-reacting to this film because I can relate to the story really well. I don't care if I am. This is my favourite movie ever. It's really great.
Doh!