Shattering

Rating: 10/10 (25 February 2012)

If you are reading my review it means you were curious or considered watching Brokeback Mountain. I understand that the first phrase that comes to mind when you hear the title is "Gay-Cowboy Movie." Don't worry I thought that, too. At one point in your life you have to give up all pretenses and enjoy what you want to.
I saw this because I knew that Heath Ledger wouldn't do something unless it had depth too it, no matter how deep or shallow the depth was. Don't turn away now. You have taken the time to find out about this movie, and you should. This movie is one of the most inspirational love stories I've ever seen. To tell the truth, it is the best love story I have ever watched, ever.
Ang Lee has a special technique that adds to the focus of a film. In "Brokeback Mountain" his visionary method takes the movie to outstanding places. Through the mountains, and terrain he includes in almost every shot he shows how vast the love is, how vast the hatred is, and how vast every humans emotion can be. I like to look at the shots one by one and immense myself in the fact that there is so much to everything, there is almost too much. Lee takes every shot of the movie and makes it full to the brim, you have to look fast because each shot is gone so quickly, but is worth the look. Lee does a tasteful job filming the scenes that have branded this movie "Gay". If you think this is the "gay-cowboy movie" then watch what he does, and you will realize how he shows just enough, and not too much.He allows the relations to be seen, but not to force them down your throat.
Heath Ledger as Ennis Del Mar was my absolute favorite part of "Brokeback Mountain". Some actors have a specific way about them, you can feel their soul. Ledger has a tangible soul and every moment that he is on screen you are feeling his pain, his love, his anger, and it allows you to BE him, not just see him. The character is silent, therefore must speak with is body and facial expressions, and I can't imagine anyone could do it better than Heath Ledger. His eyes themselves express every bit of passion Ennis Del Mar has. If for nothing else, watch Brokeback Mountain for Heath Ledger's stunning and beautiful performance that will surely go down in history.
Jake Gyllenhaal left me speechless. I've never really liked him as an actor outside of Donnie Darko and Zodiac, but he surprised me by being so amazing. Jake had a love and a heart that was wide open. There are certain actors that fit the role, even if they are nothing like the character, they just fit. Jake Gyllenhaal fits Jack Twist like they'd known each other for years, and were old friends who knew each other inside and out. To understand what sacrifice is, you have to watch the tortured expressions Gyllenhaal is capable of. Bravo, and thank you Jake for surprising me.
Anne Hathaway and Michelle Williams served very similar purposes in the movie, and both served them well. I'm not going to rave on and on about how fabulous both actresses were, because in comparison to the male leads, they weren't. But, both had their own spark and their own stage presence that added to the film. Watching women struggle with a realization like the one in this film is fascinating. Don't take my comments on them as the two being bad, they just couldn't compare to the excellence and pure perfection of Ledger and Gyllenhaal.
I've read the short story that this movie was adapted from. The short story is of the same name and carries the same power. When I read I see a movie going through my head following, so it is important that the author gives character and place description. Wow. Brokeback Mountain was truly an amazing read. it barely took thirty minutes and I had read it twice. Once you begin the journey of reading it, you can't stop. Every character, moment and feeling enveloped me. I can't stop thinking about everything and how amazingly adapted this film was. Reading then watching, watching then reading, either way you know the story inside and out. The short story and the movie almost mirrored each other. The only major difference was Michelle Williams' role. In the story it was featured less, but in the movie you got a chance to understand how the women fit in. Perfectly adapted.
There isn't much else to say, besides this: Every once and a while you find a movie that touches you in a way that is unimaginable. Brokeback Mountain touched me so powerfully that I couldn't control my crying for twenty minutes after it ended. I cry every time I watch it, and every time I think about it, but after I cry I can feel something new and momentous. Something about love and about people. There is nothing more moving and powerful than the entirety of this heart-felt and soul- wrenching film.