I Saw This Film Out Of Respect For The Late Heath Ledger.

Rating: 10/10 (4 January 2013)

I am fortunate that I did see this superbly directed film by Ang Lee who directed Hulk(2003).
It is an adaptation of a short story written by a journalist Edna Annie Proulx. Imagine that, a woman writing a gay(male) story.
But the story itself is unbelievably believable. That two guys find a lot of things in common with themselves, and then take the plunge, far away from the norms of society.
The only reason I see films like this one and also Philadelphia directed by Jonathan Demme is that I once saw a film that moved me deeply. I tried to search for it on the internet, but without the name of the film I was at a dead end. I don't even remember the name of the actor in the film. Finally after much research...I think I got the name of the film. It's called The Price Of Love (1995). Could some kind soul create a torrent of this film and upload it for all to see?
The story was of a teenager who leaves the country for the city. There he finds no work. Starving, he makes contact with a group of teens who are using prostitution to earn money. One of the guys takes him under his wings and teaches him the ropes. We find with horror how this poor guy is taken advantage of. Well in the end he goes to a group(social services) that gives him a way out of this miserable existence.
Back to this film Brokeback Mountain: In 1963, Ennis Del Mar (Heath Ledger) and Jack Twist (Jake Gyllenhaal) are hired by Joe Aguirre (Randy Quaid) to herd his sheep through the summer in Wyoming. After a night of heavy drinking, Jack makes a sexual pass at Ennis, who is initially apprehensive but eventually falls to Jack's advances. Though he informs Jack that it was a one-time incident, they develop a sexual and emotional relationship. Shortly after learning their summer together is being cut short, they briefly fight, and each is bloodied.
After Jack and Ennis part ways, Ennis marries his longtime fiancée Alma Beers (Michelle Williams) and fathers two children. Jack returns the next summer, but Aguirre, who witnessed Jack and Ennis on the mountain, does not re-hire him. Jack meets, marries, and starts a family with rodeo rider Lureen Newsome (Anne Hathaway). After four years, Jack visits Ennis. Upon meeting the two kiss passionately, which Alma accidentally witnesses. Jack broaches the subject of creating a life together on a small ranch, but Ennis, haunted by a childhood memory of the torture and murder of a man suspected of homosexual behavior, refuses. He is also unwilling to abandon his family. Ennis and Jack continue to meet for infrequent fishing trips.
The marriages of both men deteriorate. Alma and Ennis eventually divorce. Ennis sees his family regularly until Alma finally confronts him about her knowledge of the true nature of his relationship with Jack by making homophobic remarks which incites a violent argument and causes Ennis to abandon his connections with Alma. Lureen abandons her rodeo days and becomes a businesswoman with her father and expects Jack to work in sales. Hearing about Ennis's divorce, Jack drives to Wyoming hoping they can live together, but Ennis refuses to move away from his children. Jack finds solace with male prostitutes in Mexico. Ennis meets and has a brief romantic relationship with a waitress, Cassie Cartwright (Linda Cardellini). Jack and Lureen meet and befriend another couple, Randall and Lashawn Malone, and it is implied that Jack and Randall begin an affair behind their wives' backs.
Find out what happens next...
Verdict: Superb photography. The locale is stunning. Ledger is a better actor than Jake Gyllenhaal any day of the week. The only problem I have with Ledger is that he has an ordinary face. Take for example Mel Gibson. Now that guy has a face. Story pacing is a smooth and comfortable ride. The climax of the film leaves you with a jolt. You know how lonely Ennis Del Mar really is and he has been denying himself all along. His life is a lie and we really feel sympathy for him.
I think this could be Ang Lee's greatest contribution.
Similar themed film: Longtime Companion.