A New Kind of Movie

Rating: 10/10 (20 January 2006)

I didn't want to go see a "gay love story," but I had friends who urged me to see it. I thought the most I would do was see it when it came out on DVD. After repeated attempts to get me to go, one friend was given two passes, called me and said he was taking me as a guest. Brokeback Mountain is one of those films that comes along once a decade. The story is simple, the scenery uncluttered, and the dialog sparse. But the movie speaks volumes. It is joyful. It is powerful. It is sad. It displays passion, anger, grief, violence, and there is an underlying tension that runs non-stop throughout the entire movie. It never falters. I have seen a handful of movies that kept me glued to the screen, and this is one. Most of the audience reacted the same way. The "gay" issue suddenly becomes secondary. It becomes a human issue, of confusion, hope, frustration, pain, and of dreams never to be realized. The performances were all good. Some were great. You find yourself wondering, "Would it have been better if these two had never met each other?" Those who see the movie will come away with that question answered.