Broken Lives on Brokeback Mountain

Rating: 8/10 (16 January 2006)

Broken Lives on Brokeback Mountain
Brokeback Mountain is about broken lives in the back drop of majestic mountains and gorgeous actors, Jake Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger, who fall in love and the pain that results from their actions. It was a very sad movie to watch- the torture these men, Jack and Ennis, go through and the deceit they put their wives and children through, but it is very thought provoking. The film, up for seven Golden Globe nominations, deserves the attention it is getting, because it dares to break through stereotypes and forces the viewer to rethink masculinity, intolerance and love.
Cowboys- a symbol of the West, manly, rugged, strong, self-reliant all stereotypesGays- feminine, deviants, weak, queerall stereotypes...but gays come in all forms, handsome/plain, young/old, strong/weak and masculine/feminine.
In English, we have but one word for love. In Greek however there are many kinds of love; philia- brotherly love, storge- family love, eros- romantic love, and agape- the unconditional love of God. We all form bonds of love with people we spend time with, and the actors out of their own desires, cross over from the natural feelings for another to a love that in their society is forbidden. The price they pay for their pleasure is torment, jealously and sadness that comes with any relationship that is built on lies and against social stigmas.
The actors are sympathetic characters. The acting is superb and daring. True to life, the film does not show a rosy picture of the results of their choices.
My son-in-law was raised on a cattle ranch and farm in Alberta, Canada. Much of the film was shot in Alberta. The scenery was the most enjoyable part of the movie that may be a little slow for those who prefer fast-paced films.
The downfall of the characters is the lies that they tell to cover up their love which leads to disrespect and betrayal to their wives and children. The film is real in showing the consequences. One is free to make their own choices behind closed doors or tents; if one chooses to make their choices public, they must deal with the consequences from society. The cowboys prefer to keep a secret rather than to break free and share their lives openly together. Not an easy choice to say the least.
Much of the controversy with the film lies with those who don't believe in the homosexual lifestyle. Romans 1 in the Bible says that God is not pleased with the homosexual act and it is taught in Christian circles to be a sin. The reality is many people defy that teaching which is their absolute right to do. God does not force himself on anyone. But those that do must also deal with the consequences of what it does to their families, spouses and children. There is a big difference between acceptance and approval. As a tolerant society, one should be tolerant of other's choices and beliefs. That does not make one have to approve of their choices as normal and appropriate. Moreover, we all miss the mark in some way. We all need mercy and grace.
Role models in any society teach the younger generation how to act. Those who are born with tendencies of the opposite sex can learn to behave in more gender appropriate ways. This is not a propaganda film with total sympathy to one way of thinking. It just gives you a glimpse into the reality that others walk.
Why didn't Ennis take his wife camping and show her the beauty of the mountains? This was selfishness on Ennis' part. The film portrays family life as cumbersome with crying children, although there were small glimpses of happier times with his wife Alma, Michelle Williams. The main theme portrayed marriage as a 'ball and chain.' Williams, from Dawson's Creek fame, is a high contender for best supporting actress. Similarly, director Ang Lee should be rewarded for being both provocative and artistic at the same time.
The film showed all the heterosexual men to be jerks. Their boss at Brokeback Mountain where they met and worked as sheepherders was overbearing. Ennis' parents died when he was young, Jack had a father who was weak and absent in his son's life and had a father-in-law who was domineering. Cruel men also committed acts of violence against homosexuals. Was it intentional on the part of the writer to have no strong, positive male figures in the film? Strong families are the foundation of any society. The debate about the structure of our society will continue.
On the day that we went to see Brokeback Mountain, we learned from ultra-sound that our daughter will be having her second child, a son. This boy will be taught by his father what it means to be a man. With love and nurture, he will find his place in society whether it is to be a rancher like his grandfather, a philosophy professor like his father, a lawyer like his great-grandfather or a plumbing contractor like his American grandfather? The choice will be his. Consequently, it is up to each society to determine what their norms will be. For the sake of the family and our future, we must choose wisely.
Brokeback Mountain is a story of forbidden love that will challenge you. Not for the weak of heart, intolerant or the young.