Grossly over-rated ....

Rating: 4/10 (9 April 2006)

Grossly over-rated ... but PR is PR. Certainly the gay and artsy communities are happy to see the film made for the groundbreaking it does - but groundbreaking does not equal good film-making.
The plot is relatively predictable - think back to Alan Alda and Ellen Burstyn in "Same Time, Next Year". Two lovers meet on a regular basis for a number of years while living separate lives the rest of the time. Big deal, this time the two lovers are gay cowboys. Yes, it was a love story - but a poorly done love story that drags on and on and on - then abruptly falls off a cliff and ends too quickly.
The acting starts off mediocre and doesn't get much better. Randy Quaid was OK in "Category 6: Day of Destruction" (TV) but hasn't had a really decent part since "Hard Rain". This was a big step backwards. Jake Gyllenhaal is weak (though the ladies seem to drool a lot when he is around) and heartthrob Heath Ledger plays below his capabilities.
If you can ignore the less than stellar acting and look at the scenery, the location in the Canadian Rockies is absolutely spectacular and the cinematography is incredible. Also nice to see Linda Cardellini from ER with a minor part which she handled well - look forward to seeing more of her on the big screen. Look for good things in the future from Kate Mara.
I can only suggest the movie's reception was largely a product of all the hype - but as they say in Texas, this one is all hat and no cattle!