This movie will still be talked about a generation from now.

Rating: 9/10 (4 March 2006)

I convinced my wife, who is often very socially conservative, to accompany me to see "Brokeback Mountain" last night. We both loved it.
It moves at its own deliberate pace, but after a few scenes, you realize that a pace any faster would be untrue to the story. Characters develop appropriately. Casting is perfect. Dialogue is just right. The Canadian Rockies play a flawless stunt double for Wyoming. The movie's visual sweep adds to the enjoyment is actually integral to the plot.
If you fail to see this movie because "gay cowboys really don't do it for me", you are missing the point. This is an extremely well-crafted, intelligent, adult (in every sense of the word) piece of cinematic art. If you see this movie and can honestly say that you didn't enjoy, you'd better stick to "Leave It To Beaver" re-runs. That was the portrayal of a comfortable world. "Brokeback Mountain" portrays a very uncomfortable contemporary version.
These tough young men are equal to the challenges of nature without, but are no match for nature within. Supervisory tyranny, social prejudice, family issues are challenging enough for anyone. They deal even-handedly with life situations most of us would blanch at, but have no answer for love. They are rational, Ennis more than Jack, and approach horrendously difficult tasks with equanimity, even disdain. They are irrational, even rash, however, when dealing practically with their feeling for each other. Watching it all unwind was the best entertainment I've enjoyed at a movie since "Private Ryan." That's high praise.
A tiny quibble: There is one tiny editing error, but it occurs at an awkward moment for the story. There is a fly or some other small, black insect on Ennis's right cheek, down by the jaw. You see it from the front when he's in a highly intense conversation with Jack. The camera switches to Jack's face where you now see Ennis from behind. The bug is gone. Back to Ennis--voilà! The bug is still there. Insect predation is not at all unusual for that altitude, but it distracted me from what was one of the most gripping dialogs in the entire plot.
The net is that I really CARED about these characters and can't get them out of my head, not that I'm trying. If you're of age, please, see this movie.