Let yourself believe...

Rating: 10/10 (5 February 2006)

I, like many others who've witnessed the sheer beauty of this film, cannot seem to shake it. This movie, aside from the brilliant performances and masterful directing, is an all-consuming experience. It haunts in all the right ways, hurts in the way that the loss of great love hurts, and leaves you with a sense of longing that lingers long after you've left the theater. I have only just seen it for the first time two days ago and it will not leave me. I've read the hype, watched the awards shows and visited numerous websites dedicated to this marvel of film. When it opened at my local theater, I was there to experience it for myself.
In just over 2 hours, I experienced every emotion possibly connected with this story. Love, hurt, pain, sadness, repression, hope, longing, anger, despair...the list could go on and on. While the characters are not always able to throw away convention, you feel what they do. Particularly Heath Ledger's Ennis as he waits in the living room. Lee's shooting of that particular scene allows the viewer to experience that exquisite torment, the waiting, the nervousness, the despair at thinking he'd never arrive and finally the thrill of being reunited. But it doesn't stop there. Two days later and I can't wait to see it again. This movie sneaks up on you when you least expect it...cooking breakfast, watching TV, washing the dishes, attempting to sleep. It reminds you of those you've loved...whether publicly or in the shadows of a secret.
The cinematography itself is amazing. The subtle images Lee allows us to see and the importance with which he presents them demonstrate why he is worthy of the praise. The differences between the styles of his films from "The Ice Storm" to "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" to "The Hulk" show not only his versatility but his willingness to move beyond a comfort zone and make movies for the viewers.
The acting is superb. Heath Ledger takes you through his heartbreak, inviting you in to see everything from Ennis's self-loathing to his pure lust to his final promise to Jack. Ledger's portrayal reminds us why we go to the movies. Jake Gyllenhaal's Jack Twist is the man we all want to be. The man who cares not for societal constraints, but who just wants to love. With two scenes, Michelle Williams shows us why we can let ourselves be scared to love who we do and the despair we feel when the person we love doesn't, won't or can't love us back.
This is a movie that transcends. It looks not at gender, race, propriety, class, station, wealth, or culture. It simply believes in love and it makes the viewer believe in love. With an open mind, an open heart and the knowledge that this movie will stay with you...go see it. Let yourself remember that love isn't easy, that it hurts and it's painful and it's beautifully torturous, but at the same time allow yourself to believe in love.