I didn't really believe a film could haunt me.

Rating: 10/10 (5 February 2006)

This movie was like a punch in the stomach. A really hard punch. For days I felt like I did when I was unexpectedly fired or had some rug pulled out from under me. I did not really believe a film could get me to phone friends asking if my interpretation of a scene or dialogue was correct. This isn't celluloid, but flesh and blood. The final image with the camera panning from the picture postcard of the beautiful scenic Brokeback mountain to the dreary, flat reality of the landscape viewed from the trailer window was a perfect metaphor ($10 word), for Ennis present and probably future reality. I may view the film again, but not soon. Too painful. I hope this film receives the Best Picture Oscar for 2005. Because it was. And that win is not perceived as some 'Hollywood, liberal, thumbing-their-noses at red-states' gesture. P.S. In reading others critiques many seem to make opinions based on misreading the film. Rape? What rape? Jack undressed FIRST and rolled over. (Guess he already KNEW he was a bottom).Jack was already gay! Lest we forget he later 'came on' to a rodeo clown in a bar. Ennis was confused, he never had any feelings like this for another man. Jack's homosexuality required sex with men,(the hustler) Ennis just wanted Jack, the sex was part of the package.