Very accurate and moving

Rating: 10/10 (19 December 2005)

Having grown up in Alberta (yes, full of intolerant red-necks as well), I got an amazing sense of an accurate representation of time, people and place while watching Brokeback Mountain. I understand that this movie was filmed in Alberta and not Wyoming, but that's not really a bad thing. I thought the screenplay was brilliant and the dialogue was very close to much of what I experienced growing up. I feel the casting was well chosen, and the performances dealt with the issue of homosexuality in the best of taste. I was surprised that at a Friday afternoon matinée, the theatre was 3/4 full, and my guess is that less than 1/2 the people there were gay. Decades ago theatres were very strict regarding movie ratings & ID, so I had to 'sneak-in" to see "Love Story". I remember that when the Ali McGraw character died (some would argue the worst actress of all time), half the theatre erupted into applause! Conversely, while watching Brokeback Mountain there was audible whimpering throughout the theatre at many times during the movie. When Brokeback Mountain ended and the credits came up - the audience sat motionless for many minutes - not out of disgust, but because people seemed to be trying to compose themselves - before they carried on with their daily lives. Brokeback Mountain presented genuine characters as their lives evolved over time, and brought the audience to become engrossed in their struggles, love, and poignant heartache. Brokeback Mountain is film-making at its best!