BM plays all the right chords....

Rating: 8/10 (10 December 2005)

Brokeback Mountain Ang Lee, the director of the masterpieces "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon," "Sense and Sensibility," and "The Ice Storm" has really provided a powerful message to all who experience this wonderful film called Brokeback Mountain. But let me just stop there and tell you that I didn't love it like the rest of the world has been. The heart of the film is in its performances and direction by Lee. There have been rumors flying about stating that this is the greatest love story ever told and it has the power to transform the most conservative hearts. Well, as a liberal I will go on the notion that this isn't that great of a love story.
We watch the progression of these two characters, Jack Twist and Ennis del Mar from two lost young adults whom find comfort in one another one summer and start down a path either of them could have expected. Ennis who is played stunningly by Heath Ledger is a man who is entirely reserved. Jack Twist who is played by the no less than perfect Jake Gyllenhaal is an extroverted charismatic individual who's looking for himself.
These two young men just don't fall in love and that's it. The relationship starts off as a very lustful one with the only thing between them is attraction and sexual frustration. Up until the last twenty or so minutes of the film I never really feel the love between them. I might have been expecting too much out of the film and that's why I felt a little disappointed but its still impressive. The sheer bravery that Ang Lee has in making a film about homosexual cowboys in our very conservative day and age is striking. But let me say this To me, this film has nothing to do with homosexuality. The subject at hand is homosexuality but that is not what the film is about. Its about self-acceptance and courage. Trying to find a place in a world that has told you that you are wrong. We all make different choices when an obstacle is before us. Some of us choose to live or be in solitude, not talk to anyone whilst others keep themselves occupied. Most people want to face the problem face to face but are often reluctant to do so. This film gets the chip off your shoulder and makes you stop being afraid of who you were born to be. Fear is the enemy here not people. Love is the key to freedom and with that comes sacrifice and caution but with love at the center all falls into place. Okay, enough with the messages and themes and let's get on with the review of the film.
This year's best picture race is totally wide open. Even though this film seems like the likely winner at this point, it just doesn't have that one thing that best picture winners are made of. What is it? Not sure at all at this point; the story tugs at your heart like previous winners (Million Dollar Baby, Forrest Gump) but this film moves very fast in its two hours and sixteen minutes. We span over 20 years in this time. That's a lot of ground to cover. Maybe that's where BM just went wrong. Lee should of just bite the bullet and make it three hours or so, I mean hey, those win best pictures too. (Braveheart, Titanic, Return of the King) Ledger as stated gives a stunning portrayal and I expect him to be a nominee this year. This subtle performance yet so strikingly moving is what gets people to the Oscars. Gyllenhaal whom is the heart and soul of the film will definitely make it to Oscar. When I was watching the film I suddenly got a vision of him standing at the podium accepting his supporting actor award but then I came to my senses and realized that won't happen with a snubbed man like Paul Giamatti around. Michelle Williams who plays Mrs. Alma del Mar has the right hand to play her way to March. The suffering wife is an academy favorite and you really feel for her character throughout the film. So that's three acting nominations you say, and that is correct. We will see BM in the picture, director, actor, supporting actor and actress, adapted screenplay and probably some more. This was a really good film and even though it may not win the top prize there is no denying the MVP of the film is Mr. Lee. After his loss to Soderbergh this will be his makeup Oscar for directing and he truly deserves it. He took us to a place no one would dare and made you feel for these men. I wish the depiction of love could have been better but it was there. Better late than never. The rest of the supporting cast is great with Anne Hathaway as Mrs. Twist who was a little miscast I might say. Anna Faris, Randy Quaid, and the very surprising and very powerful Linda Cardellini were great as well.
Brokeback Mountain is a truly captivating and magnificent film. Despite the minor flaws in story, there's no denying the brilliance and courage this film has. There's a Brokeback Mountain for all of us and this film truly makes you want to find it.
Grade: ***1/2/****