meh.....

Rating: 5/10 (27 April 2006)

For a movie that received this much hype, I think it was a little bit of a let down. I had been waiting for this great "forbidden romance" but it just didn't grab me like that.
If I was being completely honest, (I know I'm gonna get shot for this) if "Brokeback" had been about a straight couple, it would not have got the attention it has received. It is one of the few mainstream films, if any, that dare to showcase a homosexual relationship. However it should not lean so heavily on that fact. Both of the central characters are extremely self-centred and in the case of Ennis, (Ledger) bordering on the myopic. Any parent who finds his partner at work, dumps a baby and toddler on them to go and have an affair is below contempt. When his wife questioned him about him sexuality, he left without even acknowledging his two young children. Jack (Gylehall) seemed more interested in the carnal side of relationships, first by preying on Ennis in the opening scenes, then on first meeting his wife and finally by his forays into Mexico.
Heath Ledger puts in a good performance as Ennis and the film is directed well, but for me, it is too hard to find sympathy with the two main characters. It is also pretty slow moving, predictable and relies on the "gay" factor.