Surprising

Rating: 10/10 (12 February 2006)

I went to see this movie, not so much because I was THAT interested in it but, because the reviews were so good that I thought "why not? good way to spend a Friday afternoon." I liked the movie after I left the theater and then 2 days later realized that I was still thinking about it and REALLY wanted to see it again. I was not expecting anything when I went to see it, didn't have any preconceived ideas (other than I had heard it was really good)and had not heard any of the "spoilers" so I was VERY surprised by my own reaction. I have since taken my sister and my 15 year old niece to see it and both have had the same reaction. You cannot stop thinking or feeling about these characters.
I know a lot of people who get caught up in "it's a gay cowboy movie". That is like saying Titanic is about a boat. This movie is so much more than that. It is one of the most moving, realistic and gut-wrenching love stories that I have ever seen. That people feel that they cannot, or will not, follow their hearts because of fear, guilt, societal expectations/ignorance, etc is something that happens all of the time and is heart-breaking. Being denied the right (by others & by himself) to love turned Ennis into a lonely and sad man who was never able to find his way. In his marriage, with his children, in any other relationship outside of he & Jack's (and, even then, he couldn't be completely happy).
To anyone who has not seen this movie, keep an open mind and heart, and be prepared to be surprised by the level of emotion and connectedness that you will feel for these characters. Heath Ledger is absolutely amazing in his shock at what he feels for another man, in his loneliness that you can see getting worse every year and eventually in his pain and loss that you are able to actually feel FOR him. Jake Gyllenhaal can give a look that makes your heart jump into your throat. You can feel the longing and the wish for more. Michelle Williams and Anne Hathaway are great. They both have very different ways of showing how it feels to try to create a life with someone who will never love you in the way that they love another. The physical beauty of this movie will also take your breath away. Ang Lee has a way of filming a scene that may not have any actors in it at all but will still make you feel.
I cannot say anything negative about this movie. I have become obsessed with it and wish I could see it every day. I only hope they don't wait too long to bring it to DVD.