A Classic Masterpiece

Rating: 10/10 (1 May 2006)

I have now seen this film three times and each time I discover something new that moves me or emotionally devastates me. To be dubbed as 'the gay cowboy film' does this masterpiece little justice. It is a beautiful love story and by way of a refreshing change it is between two people of the same sex. Heath Ledger's performance as the repressed Ennis Del Mar is simply breathtaking. His pain and sadness, expressed with few and often inaudible words is truly moving, raw and very very real. You just want to reach out and hug him. Jake Gyllenhaal and Michelle Williams give equally moving performances. Well done to Ang Lee, Annie Proulx and the rest of the crew who helped bring this masterpiece to the cinema. Which brings me to this: What were the Academy thinking of awarding 'Crash' the Best Picture over 'Brokeback Mountain'? This reminds me of another well known and equally criminal travesty from years ago - this time courtesy of the British pop charts - when the classic single 'Vienna' by Ultravox was kept out of No.1 by the appalling Joe Dolce single 'Shaddap You Face'. The only difference being that Joe Dolce has more credibility than Crash! (Ouch!)