A Breakthrough

Rating: 9/10 (20 February 2006)

The "love that dares not speak its name" is now in Surround Sound. Who could have dreamed that a movie about a couple of "gay cowboys" would be so beautifully done and gain such wide and avid acclaim. The director, Ang Lee, must be given much of the credit, as well as the two fine actors you've probably read so much about. And while this story is generally a first for the silver screen, there seems to be no agenda here. It's a tragic story, beautifully told and, since the time period is the early sixties to eighties, it could be linked with another "gay themed" film, The Boys in the Band, which was generally denounced by the gay community for portraying gays as a sad group of outcasts. No parties here. No romps in the sands of the Hamptons. Don't go looking for gay porno. There's little actual sex in the film. However, if there are teenagers in the audience, beware of sniggers and a wide variety of audible comments.