"There's no reins on this one. It scares the **** out of me" - Ennis

Rating: 10/10 (27 December 2005)

Beautifully constructed film, layer upon layer of visual symbol and metaphor, fantastic locations, totally unexpected performances from such young, unheralded actors... What more can you say? I've seen the film three times now, and each time I discover more nuances and shades of meaning that I missed in previous viewings. The leisurely opening of the movie, with its glorious vistas, mirrors the slow build-up of the relationship between Ennis and Jack - the glances exchanged, the work shared, the attraction, the trust and mutual respect developing. Then the scene in the tent, where you get the impression of floodgates of passion and need finally bursting into what will become a lifelong dependence on each other that neither cowboy could have predicted nor even described. This is indeed a fine film that, long after viewing, will resonate in every receptive heart. Ignore the hype and the hysteria - just see it with an open mind and enjoy, enjoy, enjoy...