The Movie Changes Hollywood (well, hopefully)

Rating: 10/10 (22 March 2006)

I saw this film two weeks ago and it's still haunting me. I cannot summarize all the wonderful things that many have said about this movie here but for everyone who votes this as a 10, I just want to say that I absolutely agree with you. Won't give away no more plot lines, spoilers, favorite scenes, praises of direction or performances or anything. The whole movie just works. Period.
For those who dislike it, well I would just say that I kind of understand why it might not please all tastes. One crucial factor that is obvious, of course, is its subject matter, yes yes we do still have to deal with this troubled world today. However, if that issue is put aside, I also see that another thing is that this film is not your typical Hollywood adrenaline-fest or formulaic type of movie  it's anything remote from that. It has the appeal of an art-house film for its huge artistic quality, but also not like those artsy, too-hip-for-everyone cult films (which include also some of the 'hippest' queer films that I've seen) either. It is more mundane and subtle.
The film reminds me so much of the genuine charm of soulful Asian dramas such as Zhang Yimou's Raise The Red Lantern or Iranian Majid Majidi's Baran  though at the same time also still very American substantially and atmospherically. It mixes visual poetics of the setting, landscapes and performances with simple dialog in linear, solid storytelling in a slow-paced rhythm that builds up increasingly growing tension and emotions towards the climax. And more importantly, the filmmakers made the films by baring their soul, and it can be felt throughout the movie. The movie enters the audience quietly, taking time to haunt and finally stays for a long time afterward. It is a small yet sophisticated treat and its aftertaste lingers for a long time, unlike the usual 'big, greasy junk food' coming from Hollywood.
And that also explains, of course, why it doesn't appeal for all tastes. For many, as it appears here, it is a wonderful, precious experience. Yet for some others, it may leave a bad taste in their mouth. It's just that the hype and controversy surrounding the film are very strong, everyone seems to have high expectations upon it, and I believe at the same time there are also some who actually look forward to bash the film when seeing it (or not!). As for those who think that this film is overrated (mostly by saying it to be too slow, plain and weepy), I don't want to say that they are wrong, but more likely that the movie might just not be their cup of tea.
Well, suit yourself, but as a passionate movie buff, I have to say that Brokeback's DEFINITELY got me good. It is a wonderful film, pure and simple yet multi-layered, that kind of film that I certainly will fall in love with instantly, even if all the hypes, the controversy and the award race don't exist. And I'm a heterosexual, Muslim Indonesian female  I don't relate myself to the 'issues' or to the cultural setting, but I treasure the film for its artistry, and ultimately relate to the universally essential matters the film conveys: love, life, desire, reality, repression, gender roles, identity and all their complexities, subtly composed altogether creating both emotional and intellectual piece that really strikes right to the heart and mind. And that also shows the greatness of cinema as a powerful, universal medium.
I do feel a bit irritated with the Oscar-snub controversy, but funnily also kind of relieved as well actually why? Well, who cares about the Oscars really? If anyone would say this is an overrated film, well I just want to say that the Academy Awards have always been an overrated event and as time passes by it has been increasingly losing its credibility as a parameter of judgment of the world's best films, parallel with the way Hollywood just goes more and more down the drain with same stuff being produced over and over again.
In Indonesia, the cinema is still seen and treated as an exclusive medium in this manic TV culture here, but the growing interest in movies within the society has been increasing rapidly these recent years, most likely supported by the VCD/DVD revolution and the reawakened local film industry. Hollywood  though still dominating/ monopolizing the market, has been slowly losing its grip. Many of movie buffs would prefer seeing the latest cool Chinese/HK flicks, the new wave of Japanese/Korean/Thai cinema that has become more and more popular, unique films from Europe or the UK, and many more that won't be noticed by the Oscars  unless it has 'issues', got enough budget to be distributed in the US, or already nominated in Cannes. The Oscars has always been ignorant and it just never lets go its bloated Hollywood self-importance. So why bother?
The way Brokeback got snubbed just justifies that fact. And also validates the movie as a stand-alone winner. It is one of the greatest gifts given to Hollywood since a long while, and it is being dismissed. But what to expect? Now, can we just get over it or might as well sneer gleefully about that fact, and just get down to the excitement of waiting for the Brokeback's DVD that will come out this April? Just hope that Hollywood will learn from this and start to make more movies in the same quality as Brokeback in the future  let's just see.