Brokeback Mountain delicately illustrates a rocky relationship.

Rating: 8/10 (6 April 2018)

Consistently referred to as the "gay cowboy" film, a description that acts as a disservice to what is a much more emotionally involving drama. Two young men are recruited to wrangle sheep in Brokeback Mountain over the winter season, where their friendship rapidly escalates to a forbidden platonic relationship. Acknowledging the tricky situation, they both decide to resist their hearts and lead normal lives where they start families. Controversially, this is renowned for losing the Best Picture award to 'Crash' and I can now understand the outcry. This is an intricate romance that feels both selfish and sorrowful. Two individuals that inflict damage upon the ones that love them and themselves. Falsifying love in an attempt to live as happy families ironically cause them self-destruction, but the screenplay gently explores the reasoning behind this. You gain an understanding as to why they made these choices, even though they are both hurting themselves, which consequently allows emotional attachment to the story and characters. Following typical western genre traits, the pacing is perhaps excessively leaning towards the slow side (especially the first thirty minutes), however it allows the characterisation to seep through the dialogue and compliment the natural beauty of Wyoming's mountainous landscape. Lee's direction is purely focused on the actors, ensuring that their talent is at the forefront. Both Gyllenhaal and Ledger were absolutely outstanding as Jack and Ennis, their chemistry was beautifully enigmatic. The internal torment and sorrowful friendship that blossoms is often spiky as it is loving, yet at no point is it conveyed falsely. The highlights and low points were progressed with natural humanity. Williams and Hathaway in supporting roles also enhanced the ferocious onscreen talent as two wives that inevitably feel betrayed. I did find the scene where Gyllenhaal violently drags a sheep by its back legs as distasteful. However, this is a majestic romantic drama that is as feral as the rodeos it portrays.