powerful, moving, but personal unease still remains

Rating: 8/10 (25 September 2005)

SPOILERS First and foremost, "Brokeback Mountain" will probably forever be labelled as 'that film about the gay cowboys', but that's only half the story. Beautifully shot by Ang Lee and with multiple Oscar nominations over the horizon, the film is a powerful and brutal film about a secret love which is neither socially or personally acceptable. It is a joy to watch, but at the same time, as a heterosexual male, it still sits uncomfortably on the mind.
When Jack Twist (Jake Gyllenhaal) and Ennis Del Mar (Heath Ledger) meet on a sheep herding job, both lives will be forever changed. After a brutal opening to their relationship and a slow developing love, they go their separate ways. Whatever they do in their lives though, the love is never far away.
This is the finest film that Heath Ledger has ever done by a considerable distance. Absolutely superb as Ennis, Ledger is a revelation. He genuinely gives the impression of loving Gyllenhaal. The former "Donnie Darko" star is also out of this world, and just like Ledger, he gives a portrayal which is so natural, that it sits uncomfortably on the surface and which many find awkward to watch.
This is perhaps the ultimate tribute you can give to "Brokeback Mountain". Whilst films are constantly using homosexuality as an issue nowadays, few have such a shock inducing effect on the heterosexual male. You feel uncomfortable watching particular scenes in this movie, and the simple fact is that you feel that way because the characters affection feels real. It's just like Harry and Sally, or Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor. The on screen chemistry is there and you generally accept that they are a couple. In "Brokeback Mountain" Ledger and Gyllenhaal are so perfectly in tune with each other, you believe that they genuinely feel that way. Their performances are simply out of this world and if they don't even get a nomination, then you know that the Academy Awards are flawed.
As well as about the love of two men, the beauty of "Brokeback Mountain" is the way it shows the attitudes of loved ones to the realisation. Michelle Williams as Ledger's wife is on form as she follows the love, and likewise Anne Hathaway is brilliant as you question how much she genuinely knows about the relationship.
Hathaway has come a long way since "The Princess Diaries" and this is easily the finest performance she's done so far. It's a shame though that she does partly ruin it by being a part of the films attempts to drag in the heterosexual male. Hathaway's part is not a small role, but when, after being on screen for ten minutes, she strips off her top, you know that she's been used to drag in certain members of the audience. Her part in the film is arguably more crucial than Williams, but the exposure of breasts by both women is completely unnecessary and serves little more than to encourage particular types to watch the film. It's a shame the film has to do this, but that's life.
Director Ang Lee is, by any definition, a legend for having the courage to make this film. A difficult subject since most heterosexual men still find the whole topic of same sex relationships (male anyway) to be awkward, Lee has take a gamble and it has paid off. Creating a beautiful and moving story, Lee has managed to get stellar performances by his young cast. Ledger in particular comes in for praise with a natural performance which genuinely does cause an awkward feeling for most straight men. We can enjoy the film for it's merits and it's story (even if the ending is ever so slightly too drawn out), but watching Ledger fall for Gyllenhaal gives an uneasy feel which is difficult to shake off. "Brokeback Mountain" is an awkward but beautiful masterpiece.