Heath Ledger impressive

Rating: 10/10 (7 January 2008)

His performance in this film is one of my favorite characters in any movie I have ever seen. His lifelong conflict with having fallen in love with a man, and being ashamed of himself for it. His decision to never allow himself to find happiness in any relationship with either a woman or a man. His characters emotional conflicts and the way he confronted them, hit me hard in the gut.
I found it interesting that Jack would go to male prostitutes from time to time, but Enis would not. Enis's only male relationship was with Jack and he kept it a secret from the world. It took a lot of guts for him to visit Jack's parents as they were obviously aware of who he was. Jack's homosexuality was far more open than Enis's and they had to know his secret. Jack's Mom showed him compassion, but his Dad chose not to even look at him. Enis chose to come face to face with his inner demons.
Some of my favorite scenes.
When he kicked the crap out of the Gypsy Jokers at the 4th of July fair. A couple of obnoxious drunks swearing with children all around and he showed such assertiveness to clearly express himself to them, to not use language around the kids. When they mouthed off he went directly to aggressive and did what a real Cowboy would do. He stood up for himself and his family. He was a Man's Man.
The scene where he ran into the cute girl that fell in love with him was very powerful. I guess he decided not to hurt her or any woman again the way he did his wife.
Another of my favorite scenes was when he and Jack were having their confrontation by the river and he told Jack "Your why I am this way". A very powerful scene.
The final scene with him sticking the address numbers on his mailbox. Junior stops by to invite him to her wedding. The culmination of all he ever earned in his life and there he was in the middle of nowhere, living in a trailer, a cold and lonely place he put himself, due to his inner conflicts. As though he chose to punish himself for ever more. But he had his daughter's love. He had at least that to show for his life, and it made me feel good for him. And Jack's shirt hanging in the closet for his memories.
I have seen a lot of movies in my life, but I have never seen one like this. I mentioned to my adult children that I liked this move. My daughter laughed and my son just played it off. My girlfriend ignores it. We watch 4 or 5 movies a week together. Never this one.
I find it interesting how people will avoid uncomfortable subject matter and miss out on such a great movie. I'm glad I bit the bullet and watched this movie on HBO. I have seen it at least a dozen times and I still continue to watch every time it airs.