Two Cowboys Went up a Mountain...

Rating: 6/10 (27 February 2006)

By now you likely know the basic premise or something of Brokeback Mountain, i.e. It's about two gay cowboys. Well sort of.
Another story taken from E. Annie Proulx short tale is made into an epic film about Ennis Del Mar, played by Heath Ledger, and Jack Twist, by Jake Gyllenhaal, who are two cowboy guys. They meet while being employed by Joe Aguirre (Randy Quaid). Their job is to herd sheep, well fatten them up on public land on the quiet 'up on Brokeback Mountain' ready for sale the next season.
While on the job for so many months together alone the usually quiet Ennis opens up to the more talkative, sometimes rodeo rider, Jack Twist. The landscape is beautiful, from the opening shot though it's the everyday for them. After one particular conversation (Jack: thats the most you have talked in these months', Ennis: 'it's the most I've talked in years') and the ubiquitous rum, Jack is more amorous and a little forceful. One thing leads to another This tale meanders across 20-30 years. After this encounter, the two fall into a lifelong addiction for each other, both afflicted in different ways. Both marry but Ennis still secretly pines for Jack & Jack pines back. But if Jack cant have Ennis then what else is there? Their infrequent encounters become less infrequent until Brokeback Mountain is held in high esteem by many and seen as not so good by many. It was a little of both for me. It's a long tale that took its sweet time looking at the great scenery as it goes, watching the life of Jack & Ennis take its ups & downs, and maybe it is a bit long for me. Check it out if you want an experience.
Someone I know would tell you 'it got 8/10 on www.IMDb.com' but I will only give it 6.5/10