Ang Lee's emotionally complex story of homosexuality is powerfully crafted and deeply moving

Rating: 10/10 (29 April 2017)

Director Ang Lee's period piece is the home of a powerful love story, but definitely not the kind of love story Hollywood is richly experienced in. It is the love story between two cowboys who both happen to be men. Homosexuality has often stood as one of the most sensitive subject matter has Hollywood as ventured, especially when becoming the target of outcry from the conservative community. In fact, some may be familiar with numerous reports of communities fighting unsuccessfully to ban the film from theaters. Nonetheless, above the predictable controversy is a masterful crafted romantic tale that sees Ang Lee showcasing a trials and tribulations of a relationship that is often frowned upon by many, and the dangers that ensue from the fear of homophobic crowd. It is a tragic, it is complex, and at times, deeply frustrating. But ultimately, it is story that is difficult to forget. The film opens up in 1963 in Brokeback mountain of Wyoming. Two cowboys Jack Twist (played by Jake Gyllenhaal) and Ennis Del Mar (played by Heath Ledger) are hired by Joe Aguirre (played by Randy Quaid) for a summer job at herding the sheep. The two start off as strangers before gradually becoming friends. But before the summer is over, the two develop a deep relationship with each other. When is summer is over, the two are forced to part ways where Ennis marries Alma (played by Michelle Williams) and has children, and Jack falls in love with cowgirl named Lureen (played by Anne Hathaway). Nonetheless, their love each other still lingers When the two men reunite however, they are forced to deal with the tragic hardships of their forbidden relationship.
Classifying this 'Romeo and Juliet'-like romantic drama as a "gay cowboy movie" is somewhat accurate, but does feel slightly of a overstatement. The main pinnacle of this film is not just the relationship between these two men but the journey of these men questioning their sexuality when they both get wrapped up in the lives of family. The tragedy sees men face soon serves as the emotional crux of the plot. When the two go their separate ways, they both enter a relationship with a women they believe is their true love, but struggle trying to cope with the possibilities that still have feelings for each other. When the two men cross paths again, the two fall victim to tragedy as they struggle to hide their contraband relationship not only from their families but all of society. Ang Lee powerfully illustrates the pain and frustration of these men fighting to adjust to a society where homosexuals are constantly slipping into the cracks of maltreatment, an issue that still remained brutally relevant in America for the last several decades. Spanning across a course of twenty years, this showcases an incredibly powerful journey these men endure on keeping their relationship alive, and the results lead to an emotional roller-coaster that doesn't waste the capacity to make viewers shed tears in the final stretch.
While Ang Lee's portrayal of this tragic is deeply riveting from his direction, to the elegantly crafted writing, this movie would not likely strike at the heart without the riveting performances of an inspiring cast. That is where Jake Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger come in. Jake Gyllenhaal takes on arguably the most challenging role of his career, playing a cowboy who finds himself enigmatic by his sexuality when he crosses paths with Heath Ledger. He is incredibly diligent in his role and packs a strong emotional punch nearly every minute he is on screen. Standing his side is Heath Ledger who takes on an equally bold endeavor in the role as his lover, and is brilliantly convicted in his role. The chemistry between the two is shockingly subtle, if a bit uncomfortable for conservative moviegoers. The thick southern accents these two adopt also deserves a round of credit. Supporting the romantic duo is Michelle Williams who serves a character struck with tragedy when she learns about the shocking relationship between the two men. Anne Hathaway makes for a pleasant appearance, at least for the short amount of time she has on screen. Kate Mara gives a swell performance in her role as Heath Ledger's daughter, which may come off a slightly unusual considering the very short age gap between her and Ledger.
Brokeback Mountain is an emotionally complex, yet powerful love story with astonishing performances and an inspiring craftsmanship by Ang Lee. This film is a rare cinematic gold that not only sheds light on the painful, yet honest truth of same-sex love, but defies against the overwhelming controversy driven by its contentious subject matter. While there is certainly no doubt that the material will send people of the conservative crowd running for the hills, it is an absorbing cinematic art that many others will come to appreciate.