Undesired Love

Rating: 6/10 (19 May 2011)

Brokeback Mountain is a story of forbidden and even sometimes an undesired love between two cowboys. Given the right set of circumstances anyone can fall in love with even the most unspeakable partner. The main protagonist is Ennis Del Mar played by Heath Ledger is a cowboy who is familiar with working on a ranch. The antagonist is Jack Twist played by Jake Gyllenhaal who is less experienced in the real workings of a cowboy but aspires to exceed in the rodeo. Ennis has an old fashioned name and is unique giving significance as the main character. His accent is strong and he is slower and quieter than Jack. He is given the characteristics of an average man in these times given their location of Wyoming. Jack has a common name giving him less meaning as only a supporting actor. He is outspoken and more flamboyant associating him with a gay man in America. His speech is clearer and better educated giving him the advantage that intelligence has to manipulate Ennis. This unorthodox love affair begins on Brokeback Mountain in Wyoming. This middle of nowhere setting allows the characters to express feelings and actions that would not have necessarily even emerged in the view of the public eye. The plot takes a twist once this private love affair becomes exposed, at least to Ennis's wife.
This film is shot from the viewer's perspective focusing on the life of Ennis. The camera does a good job of capturing the majestic and even sometimes romantic scenery. The music also adds to this effect of the mountainous terrain. The lack of music at pivotal points in the film allows the viewer to focus on the characters and the actions taking place. The camera angles allow us to see Jack's sexual interest in Ennis from the beginning scenes of the movie. The cinematography is clear about its depiction of Jack as a homosexual man who is pursuing Ennis a clearly heterosexual man. A specific set of circumstances allows Jack to take advantage and seduce Ennis into a relationship that was undesired in the beginning. Once the love is there it can't be taken back and even though Ennis doesn't need the comfort of a man like Jack does he can't fight the way he feels towards the man he loves.