Outstanding

Rating: 10/10 (18 May 2013)

I remember watching this for the first time and disliking it. For some reason (thankfully) a few years later I re-watched it and felt completely the opposite. Quite why I didn't like it first time i'm not sure, but it has since become one of my favourite films.
It's a simple story of the forbidden love between two men in the tough American West. It's a brave film as on the surface a film about gay cowboys is not going to be everyone's first choice of viewing. However thankfully just like life nothing is ever clear cut. Even after watching it's not really clear ( to me anyway) if both men are even gay or just have an attraction to just each other.
The only way this film could succeed was by a good script and great performances and what it got was a great script and superlative performances. I have rarely if ever seen such a towering but understated performance as that of Heath Ledger in this. How he did not pick up an Oscar for this i'm not sure. He is backed by a very strong young cast. Jake Gyllenhaal has the lesser role but is almost as impressive as Heath Ledger and the two supporting female leads Michelle Williams and Anne Hathaway are excellent. I would suggest that this is the career high for all concerned ( apart maybe from Jake Gyllenhaal who was superb in Zodiac).
The cinematography is incredible and you get a real sense of the vastness of the American wilderness. The plot meanders at it's own pace but you are so spellbound at what you are watching it never drags.
Much has been made of the infamous sex scene but whilst as a straight man I can't say I wasn't uncomfortable watching it, it is necessary and it is handled very well.
This is without doubt a classic movie and one of the best movies of all time in my opinion. It's a shame it hasn't got a higher rating than 7.7 on here as it easily deserves a Top 250 place but sadly I guess the films content stops it achieving it's rightful place.