Beautiful

Rating: 9/10 (5 April 2006)

This film is an amazing work of art in every shape and form. Ang Lee creates a masterpiece of social commentary that reflects the obstacles of love. First of all, this is not a gay film, it is a compassionate love story. It shows two people who fall in love with one another and who are forbidden to act upon that love because of the penalties that society will embark. This film is set in the 60's, so homosexual culture is not embedded into culture yet. The two characters then live a lie, as they both marry and have children. However, in their married lives they seem to be unhappy, struggling with the daily tasks of pleasing their family. Their only peace comes when they are with one another and then, they are truly themselves.
The acting in the film is poetic. I do have to admit that Philip Seymore Hoffman rightfully deserved the academy award for best actor, however Health Ledger's role as Ennis, is one for the ages. His stoic cowboy role displayed all of his anger and pain without words. Even as time goes on in the film and Ennis gets older, you can notice his age, not because of any noticeable makeup, but because of the pain that Ledger is able to display. He held a lot of weight on his shoulders, and you could notice it through his eyes. Ledger has come a long way from doing teen movies and bad thrillers. This is a career defining role, and even though he may never have anything like this again, this role alone makes him a success.
I do have to admit that it does take a certain level of maturity and open-mindedness in order to enjoy this film. I am not gay and I thought that this is one of the best films I had ever seen. You just need to really appreciate great film making and understand how difficult it was for these two characters to act in this manner. There has to be a certain level of sophistication to understand the power of love and the power of Ang Lee.