Love denied brings misery to many lives.

Rating: 9/10 (15 February 2006)

A story of two simplistic men that lead complicated lives. The film is beautifully photographed (shot in the Canadian Rockies to represent Wyoming), artfully directed by Ang Lee and the principle cast (Heath Ledger, Jake Gyllenhaal, Michelle Williams & Anne Hathaway)gives great performances. I never expected the film to impact me the way it did.
After seeing the movie, I immediately located Annie Proulx's short story and read it. The screenplay, written by Larry McMurtry and Diana Ossana, is not only true to Ms. Proulx's short story, it gives a bit more depth to several of the other characters in the film.
This is NOT a 'gay cowboy' movie. It's about two men that develop feelings they don't quite fully understand, so they deal with their situation the best (and safest)way they know how over a twenty year period. How their secret relationship affects them and their spouses and children is subtly revealed throughout the film. I think one of the main reasons so many people are talking about this film is that it raises more questions than it answers.
This film is also NOT a political, religious or 'lifestyle' statement. It doesn't promote any agenda, despite all the rhetoric from both extremes of the 'liberal' & 'conservative' spectrum. It's a film that illustrates how environment and social conditions affect the choices we make and the paths we take concerning those we love can impact us all our lives.
"Brokeback Mountain" is a simple, yet powerful film. Go see the movie. Read the short story. If you aren't left with a lump in your throat or an ache in your gut, you weren't paying attention.