A Transcending and Heartbreaking Masterpiece

Rating: 10/10 (23 March 2010)

In the first half of the film, the story characterizes two main characters and shows the development of love of the two cowboys, Ennis del Mar and Jack Twist. Ennis is a person who does not speak much. He has capability to hide his emotions and shows only glimpses of them (esp. with Jack). But his capability has limit. His outburst of emotion consequently comes with intensity. Jack is more emotional, optimistic and dreaming guy; sometimes impractical. He is also sensible to Ennis' feelings.
Because of these complex characteristics of two, it demands depth and great understanding from two actors to realize the characters. And Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal satisfy that demand. Actually, the two actors become the two characters. Their acting are very subtle and yet powerful. The development of their love is also perfect. Their love does not pop-up from nowhere. But as they live in Brokeback Mountain, the attraction gradually and subtly pulls them together and creates their irrevocable bond. There is nothing artificial here. Their acting is pure, and thus it transcend the sexuality. They are essentially two souls that fall in love with each other.
To view the second half, we have to prepare for series of heartbreaking and yet beautiful scenes. We see how they long for each other while they separately live in the closet. Once they meet each other, we are convinced that everything will be as good as in Brokeback again. But no. We are constantly pulled back to the reality that the society won't just allow them to have happy life together. We feel how hard they struggle with it, and the conclusion is just beautifully tragic.
It seems unfair not to mention other actresses and actors. Michelle Williams as Alma, Ennis's broken wife, is just excellent. The way she trembles, the way she explodes her feelings are just so real and moving. Anne Hathaway as Lureen Newsome, Jack's wife, is also great, although we have not seen her much. But she pulls out her scenes so well that it becomes one of my favorites. Roberta Maxwell as Jack's graceful mother just radiates her compassion through her words and her actions.
But It is Ang Lee who crafts these beautiful nuanced scenes and weaves them together. He is just a maestro. Everything is perfectly drawn and shown. Every second has its meaning and contributes to the plot of the stories. He combines the dazzling performances of the cast, the ways to show them, and moving music by Gustavo Santaolalla together.He just knows how to make this cinematographic phenomena.
Forget about bad names or remarks given to this film. Go to see it. It is never too late, since the value of Brokeback Mountain will always remain.