haunting and challenging

Rating: 10/10 (18 December 2005)

As a gay man in my mid 30's, I was a little fearful of the hype surrounding the release of this movie, as I had read Annie Proulx's story in the New Yorker on its release in 1997. Her representation of Ennis DelMar and Jack Twist's love transcends gay versus straight and is clearly a story of unfulfilled love and the consequences that result as a choice of not following one's heart. There has not been a story that has challenged my thinking about love and relationships more than this one, especially after seeing Ang Lee's true to the sparse nature of the written word and Heath Ledger, Jake Gyllenhall and Michelle Williams outstanding (while extremely understated) acting. After reading the story, I knew exactly when I would break down and sob, even though I wished the story would end differently. The pain and sorrow in this movie (especially in Jake Gyllenhall's portrayal) is palpable, the commitment to the truth is clear and the ability of Heath Ledger to capture the longing that Ennis felt in the story was amazing. In a scene with no words, Heath showed the longing, grief and commitment that Ennis felt, while knowing that Jack felt the same. I will buy this movie, I will see it a thousand times, and I will cry in the same spot every time. Bravo all.