What blew me away

Rating: 10/10 (13 February 2006)

Let me share my excitement.
I saw it Saturday night for the FIRST time but have been living with the story for a year and a half, now. I knew every line, I felt the wooden floor boards shake when Jack stepped on them, how could I not, I've read it half a dozen times at least, but seeing it played out was a wonder and a revelation. I'm jumping way ahead of myself.
I expected to cry... I didn't. I was prepared (if that is possible), emotionally, for the devastation that this movie causes in people, so I didn't cry. I also thought that I was prepared for the level of acting that was displayed in the movie. Wrong, I wasn't. Nothing could prepare me for that. I knew that the actors were good, but, oh my God, this was brilliant. I was totally breath taken.
Heath. I wish I knew the way to describe how amazing this man is. There is no Heath, whatsoever, in Ennis, not one little bit. It's like the character takes over, absorbs itself in every pore... he feels Ennis, he breathes Ennis, he IS Ennis. Perfect acting, perfect portrayal... lust, fear, self hatred, longing, love, despair, pain and in a few brief moments, happiness. PERFECT! He blew me away.
Jake. Let me first say that, so far, he has not been on my list of the dearest actors. With what he did here, he entered. It just seems so easy, the way he embodies Jack, the right amount of smiles, determination, hope for things wanted but impossible. The scene where he's driving away and "Love that will never grow old" plays in the background, tears in his eyes and then spite as he enters Mexico... but not only that, everything, nothing is missed. He also blew me away.
Michelle and Anne. What Dawson's Creek? What Princess Diaries? Where? I never saw the story from their point of view. I didn't really care about them. Until now, that is. Now I feel them. One completely vulnerable, the other stone cold. What power. Kudos, ladies.
The rest of the cast as well. Perfect. (I use a lot of perfect, I know.) Favourite scenes. All of them... well, OK, there are some that hit me in the gut more then others. Ennis in the alley after they part. Jack stroking Ennis's face with his fingers as they sit by the fire, post-reunited, and Ennis accepts that, smiling just a little. And THE ONE. Ennis embracing Jack from behind, holding him, loving him.
This movie is wonderful, powerful, teaching and damn well crafted... take the chance, see it. But also, take the chance that life places before you. Even if you're never completely satisfied by it. Grasp it for as long as you can. (I paraphrased one critic here.) I'm gonna do just that.