Certainly Doesn't Disappoint

Rating: 9/10 (28 January 2006)

Director Ang Lee made his big Hollywood splash with the 2000 blockbuster "Wo Hug Cang Long (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon)". This first film was a dazzling display of artistic flair, a talent lost on his later blockbuster "Hulk", starring Australian comedian Eric Bana. His 2005 project, an adaptation of the Annie Proulx short story "Brokeback Mountain", is in a very different style to his two previous films, and by a mile the most critically acclaimed.
Ennis Del Mar (Heath Ledger) and Jack Twist (Jake Gyllenhaal) are two lonely cowboys who meet while applying for work in the summer of 1963. Sent out on a sheepherding run up to fictitious Brokeback Mountain, Wyoming for several months, the two men begin to form a bond with one another, which grows into affection which becomes a passionate affair. At the end of the summer, they each go home, Jack to his sick father and Ennis to his fiancé. However, their fierce and undying love for one another stays strong through the following years, and they each must face great hardships and tragedy in their struggle between social responsibility and happiness.
"Brokeback Mountain" is the most talked-about film of the year, for many reasons; the subject matter, the direction, the cinematography, the acting. But it's not a film for everyone. At over two hours, it plods along with what will be for some an insufferably slow pace. This will be one of the main criticisms from viewers not overly interested or engaged by the story to begin with. But its celebrated success is by no means undeserved.
The most striking thing about the film is its infinite subtlety. Almost everything of importance is said without words. The opening scene of Jack and Ennis meeting each other for the first time is a beautiful example of this; and the two lead actors look so cute shying away from each other under the brims of their cowboy hats. Another thing that works with the subtlety of the film is the frustrated inarticulacy of Ledger's character; he has to communicate without words because he simply doesn't have the words he wants to say. It is, just quietly, a sensational performance from the Australian actor, a display of talent previously hidden in his other works.
Opposite Ledger, of course, is the equally good Jake Gyllenhaal, as the more honest and communicative of the duo. Jack Twist is not as deeply ashamed and mortified of his affections as his surly lover, but he nonetheless does everything society expects of him, including getting married and having children. Gyllenhaal shows a different side of himself than ever seen before in this suitably restrained performance, which simmers under the surface with a deep passion. If this is any indication of the direction Gyllenhaal's acting style is going, upcoming war-movie "Jarhead" promises to be even more rewarding than already imagined.
Performances from the supporting cast of women in the film are all quite stunning, especially the two cowboys' respective wives, Anne Hathaway and Michelle Williams (Ledger's real life partner). They don't get as much screen-time as the men, but they shine fabulously, even when somber or in pain. Their pain is, in fact, a central point of the film's message; far more people get hurt than are to blame.
Finally comes the picture's most memorable quality: some films are sad, some films are depressing, but "Brokeback Mountain" is one of the few truly heartbreaking films of the western world. For those unconvinced or uninterested by the subtle ingredients the movie has to offer, perhaps emotional turmoil will be out of the question, but for most the story and, more particularly, the acting will move you to tears.
There is no perfect film, to be sure; each has their flaws, and "Brokeback Mountain" is no different. A little editing would not have gone amiss, but aside from that, this is pretty brilliant stuff, well worthy of its high critical praise and, for my money, not likely to be rivaled for outstanding performances by any other film this year.