Sadly misunderstood

Rating: 9/10 (1 September 2008)

It is ashaming that so many people have refused to see the impeccably made "Brokeback Mountain" because of its gay themes. It is heartbreaking that the Academy, after awarding Ang Lee a long overdue Oscar for Best Director, suddenly did a 180 and awarded Best Picture to the "safe pick" "Crash" instead. It is unfortunate that this film will never get the fullest appreciation it deserves because of its "controversial" material. The fact that so many people have rejected "Brokeback Mountain" is a sad sign that our culture still holds some very unfortunate prejudices or reservations that this film explicitly tackles (and very well too).
This film, along with "Walk the Line" and "Capote," is one of the best character studies of 2005. Hands down. The acting is simply excellent; Michelle Williams is incredibly compelling as the troubled wife whom tries to keep everything okay in a tight marriage but can't escape the fact that things were getting shaky from day one. Heath Ledger, as her husband, gives his best performance of his career in this feature. Yes, say all you want about him as the Joker in "The Dark Knight," but I do believe history in time will judge this performance as his best and most well rounded. You can't help but feel saddened for him, as he struggles through relationships, through tough finances, through family, and through his identity. And of course, there's Jake Gyllenhall, whom also gives a stellar performance. Though you're glad that his character is better able to handle the same situations that Heath Ledger deals with, you can't help but worry for his slightly careless nature about his marriage and his feelings towards Ledger. Anne Hathaway too is a surprising find as a cowgirl who starts out spunky and wild but ends up hardened and edgy because of her so-so marriage to Gyllenhall.
The writing is top notch. So what if the characters mumble through their lines and express emotions in subtle ways? That's life! We don't just openly declare our real feelings, we hide them, or speak about them in extremely reserved ways. I just love how deep the director Ang Lee gets into his characters. He dissects all of their complexities so well; they feel like regular human beings by the end of the film, as they should.
Yes, it is slowly paced and does feel lengthy. But sometimes, through the toughest moments in life, we feel as though we can never escape them. This film wonderfully illustrates how it feels to have the "wrong feelings" in the "wrong places" at the "wrong times." And yet at the end of it all, you can still have the chance to make some things right again. But sadly, it is just that deep illustration that have repelled so many people away. I can only hope that time will give "Brokeback Mountain" the fullest justice it deserves.
A heartbreaking masterpiece. My fullest recommendation.