Beautiful, heartbreaking romance

Rating: 8/10 (12 January 2006)

Forget all the hype and hoopla you MAY have heard about Ang Lee's latest. This is not the controversial, left field gay western that it was originally advertised as, and which Ang Lee is desperate to eradicate. This is simply a beautiful, heartbreaking romance about two people who find each other in an unforgiving world. And they don't know what to do about it.
In the summer of 1963 two cowboys by the name of Ennis Del Mar (A shockingly superb Heath Ledger) and Jack Twist (Jake Gyllenhaal) meet at a ranch in Montana. Amidst the vast nowhere of the rocky mountains, these two form a strong relationship, that develops into an affair. However, this new found love is one that neither man is prepared to comprehend straight away. One drunken night of passion, leads to both men barely able to look at each other in the morning. How did this happen? They both reckon they're not homosexual. "I ain't queer" Ennis proclaims, somewhat fretfully to Jack. "Neither am I" retorts Jack. As far as these two men are concerned, what happens on the mountain, stays on the mountain. And so the affair continues, much to the chagrin of their disgusted boss (Played by Randy Quaid).
As the years grow on, the two men appear to get on without each other. Both men get married, and even have children. But then one day they meet up again. And everything is compromised. Jack, ever the optimist, wants them to leave their wives and live together. Ennis, the realist, however, knows that an unforgiving society, especially in such a masculine environment, would never accept them together. So their secret affair continues, under the nose of their suspecting wives and friends.
Brokeback Mountain may sound like an exploitation movie. Or indeed one about acceptance. But whilst it touches on these issues, it's really about something a lot more familiar in movies: Loss. Redemption. And Regret. It may be a western about homosexuality, and the taboo of it. But make no mistake. These are just two people who want to love each other. And that's the real tragedy of it. But that's not to say it is recurrent of films gone by. Far from it. Ang Lee has constructed a patient film, that deals with modern issues in a way that is much more reminiscent of Casablanca rather than the Rocky Horror Picture Show.
If I have any criticism, it is that some people may find the film a tad too languid. Lee expects the audience to concentrate with this. You can put the Times' crossword puzzle away.
Heath Ledger deserves an Oscar for his moody, subtle depiction of pent-up aggression. It is a fine, and very surprising performance from someone who is clearly destined for great things. Jake Gyllenhaal who in the past has done fantastic work, and has the label of the best actor of his generation is almost as great, with a brighter eyed performance.
You will be touched and heartbroken, but will walk away glad. This is a film everyone should see.