Was ready to hate it, but...

Rating: 8/10 (30 December 2006)

Okay, I was wrong. I recorded Brokeback Mountain at my wife's request and wanted no part of it. But I ended up watching it and now understand why it did so well in the Oscars. It's gorgeously photographed in gorgeous country (Alberta, not Wyoming)although they overdid the polarizing filters on the blue skies. It examines homosexuality in a mature and responsible manner. Indeed, I was more offended by the constant smoking than I was by the frequent gay grappling scenes. The story and the acting of it were excellent. It captures both the feel of the west and the emotional dynamite of the situation without overstatement or exploitation. These were believable, likable characters caught in a human dichotomy. I would have given it a 9 were it not for all the cigarettes. I thought the Marlboro man had died of lung cancer!