Moving, and Important

Rating: 10/10 (4 January 2006)

The first time I saw this movie I must admit that I was completely touched by what I saw. The second time I saw this movie I was... completely moved and almost transfigured by it. This movie is "Maurice" revisited, but placed on an American landscape. This movie not only proves that there is often more to a person than that which meets the eye, but it drives that point home more than any I have seen in recent times. Gays have long been proving that they do not necessarily fit the stereotype that the media (and popular culture, in general) so often attempts to foist on us. "Brokeback Mountain" takes an experience, that is often blown way out of proportion through its use of stereotype, and fills us with something that is completely devoid of that caricature. I think that is important for the gay community because it depicts another side of the community that is not always shown as readily as the other. Bravo to the writers for showing this other side of the gay community that so often goes unrecognized. Many of us do live conservative lives where it is necessary to be more guarded as we struggle with a very difficult issue. The actors who portrayed the lead characters were nothing short of phenomenal, and seeing it the second time gave me an even deeper look into their performances. Their characters share experiences that are at once joyous, and heart-wrenching. Those few moments they have to spend together, the gleam in their eyes when they see each other, and the tears in their eyes when they have to leave one another's side. The first time I saw the movie I felt a little empty upon never really hearing the word "love" mentioned. The second time I saw it, I saw all the expressions that made up for that. Using the word "love" within the context of this movie would have risked taking it to a different level. And I don't think it needed to go there. These were two men who couldn't even admit outwardly to each other that they were gay, it comes as no surprise that the word "love" would not enter their vernacular. In fact, the true connection to their own emotions isn't solidified enough to go there yet. You knew these two men loved each other simply by the way they looked into each other's eyes. The loving, heartfelt embraces they share, the physical aggression that comes out as a result of their difficulty in fully accepting what they feel are profound. Heath Ledger brings out this internal difficulty in a way that is incomparable, and for a straight actor to be able to throw caution to the wind and find it in himself to bring out the feelings of someone (like me) with whom he may not be able to completely understand himself is incredible. And do it so flawlessly. It shows that love knows no orientation or gender boundaries. Jake Gyllenhal is nothing less than outstanding himself in his portrayal of Jack. Although Jack isn't exactly open about his sexuality, he is able to connect with it in a way that Ennis can't. And it's wrenching to watch his own struggle as it matches up to that of Ennis's. It isn't unlike my most recent relationship, and that's why this movie had such a profound impact on me. Though I am not a cowboy, my ex was raised in a conservative ranching community of West Texas. He and I both had the same religious, social, and political belief systems that made such a relationship seem impossible. But while I was able to see an ability to throw caution to that wind and try, he wasn't able to. The line from the movie that still haunts me is when Jack says that he doesn't know how to "quit" Ennis. 6 months after my breakup, I still am at a point where I don't know how to "quit" my ex either. I guess that's what true love does to you. A standing ovation goes out to all the creators of this movie who showed that love between consenting adults knows no boundaries. I know that I, for one, loved my ex to such a deep level that I would have put my life on the line for him. And you don't give up your life for someone just because you like to sleep with them. It goes so much deeper than that. This movie isn't a fantasy. It is the reality for many. And no movie hits closer to my own home than this one.