The McMurtry Touch

Rating: 8/10 (25 January 2006)

When I first read Annie Proulx's story in the New Yorker, I was moved by the ending and admired its political subtext, but felt the story entire didn't spring to life. It came across as a pulpy example of political correctness where the characters never escaped their author's noble intentions. Proulx's first love scene between Jack and Ennis was rushed and corny and somehow false -- their actions being the product of an impatient writer. Because of this mixed experience, I dreaded seeing the film.
What a surprise. The filmmakers took Proulx's sketch and turned it into a love story to rival the best works of Larry McMurtry, right up there with "Hud" and "Lonesome Dove" and all the other stories that acknowledge "love is a force of nature." There are so many great moments with the McMurtry touch, but the biggest influence can be seen in the female characters, and how much impact they carry.
The moment that makes or breaks the film -- the first love scene -- is a testament to Ang Lee's skill as a director. The care used to establish this moment, a flawless first act, is peerless.
In a year with several outstanding films, 2005 will always be remembered for this outstanding collaboration: Ang Lee, Larry McMurtry, and Heath Ledger.