He was a friend of mine...

Rating: 10/10 (19 October 2007)

Brokeback Mountain is truly one of the best love movies I have ever seen, which probably also include those I have ever heard. "I swear... I swear..." Jack murmured to Ennis when they were sharing intimacy for the first time in that small tent... The softness in the way that him said it has long made me wonder what he was swearing for... This is a love story without the word being said. Back to 30 years ago, it is hard to imagine how two guys could possibly articulate their feelings towards each other, although they knew that, even more than we do, it was there.
At the last night they were together by the mountain, Jack muttered, staring at the river, "Tell you what... truth is, sometimes I miss you so much that I can hardly stand it". Since that moment, I started weeping and then cried when the desperation inside Jack was yelled out on the next day they were apart forever. Actually I am probably wrong here, it already broke my heart when Jack drove away to Mexico with teary eyes after he realized that Ennis's divorce still couldn't have them live together and wouldn't give him what he was hoping for. Now, it's been four days since I watched this movie this Tuesday, but the longing and sadness in Jack's blue eyes are still haunting me, after having me emotionally drained.
I have been thinking what would have happened if Ennis had known "the rest" (about the homosexual love). Would he have the courage to built a real life with Jack without being tortured by self-loathing in his mind through the whole life? The shirts that were hung together for twenty years would not have been the only thing that they owned from each other. I actually doubt whether the two characters knew what gay was. Love between them was such a raw and limpid force, which can perfectly be left unsaid. If you ask me whether I have noticed such strong affection was between two men. No, honestly. What only matters here is the love between two human beings.
"Jack, I swear..." Ennie buttoned Jack's shirt that was then hanging in his own closet. What were you swearing, Ennis? Still blaming Jack for the love he constantly gave and tried to have your commitment? For Ennis, the only person he could reciprocate love with was far gone, leaving him with the broken memories by Brokeback mountain and the regrets in his loneliness.
The movie is almost flawless in all aspects. The setting, the acting, the photographing and even the sexual scenes in all constructed this heartbreaking story perfectly. I don't need to comment anymore on the acting of Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal, with all that been said by everyone else. All the supporting casting are perfect as well. The only hope seen in the movie was when Jack's mother padded on Ennis's shoulder with the amiable smile on her face. She knew what was going between her boy and Ennis, and she was supportive, although such comfort was so late for either Ennis or Jack.
It took me a long time to write such a short review, probably because the film hit me too hard. While being slightly released, I am sure the film will still live with me for a long time.