Two men find love/obsession on a remote mountain in 1963 and the effects follow them through life

Rating: 8/10 (25 January 2006)

I just saw Brokeback Mountain yesterday and have been digesting it all day. Of course a romance between two handsome cowboys in today's society is going to receive some significant press, and I can only hope the power of the themes in the story are not underscored by the obvious "its high time we've seen a good gay romance/drama" aspect of the film.
What I found most interesting about the film is that I really identified with and felt more for the supporting characters than I did for the leads. Though Heath ledger has been heralded for this role, I did not find myself feeling sympathetic toward him for most of the film. Of course this is what makes him so compelling of a hero for me. I really got to know him, as they say, and my feelings about him evolved as his character did. I think therein lies the genius of Ang Lee.
I must say that Jake Gylenhaal was well cast in the role Jack Twist, but once again, i just couldn't get my heart around his character for the majority of the film, and then I did, and then he disappointed me...just like life. I think we can all be happy or not that a fine well-made film was made depicting a gay romance; but the real magic of the film is not that it is gay, but rather that it seems as if these people were honestly depicted, and that isn't always easy.
As far as breakout performances, I think the young lady who played Alma Jr. was wonderful. I think she was played by Anna Pacquin, and she did such a stunning job. Also Michelle Williams was wonderful, and the character for whom I felt the most for the majority of the film. Anne Hathaway was terrific. This was a far cry from Drenovia, or however you spell it.
There are things I would have wanted to go other ways, but who doesn't wish they could write life how they wanted? In any case, it was a great movie and I hope if you haven't seen it or if you have, that you will look beyond the hype and see the soul. Make your decision then.
If you have any comments or film recommendations, please email them to me.