Brokeback Mountain -- good, but a tad too long

Rating: 7/10 (8 January 2006)

It seems that after reading the reviews of this movie, that I am the only one, besides my two friends who saw this movie today, who was not blown away by this movie. While the acting was fantastic (Heath Ledger and Michelle Williams in particular) and the cinematography was breathtaking, the movie dragged in places. I do think that the movie is haunting in it's imagery and also in the heartbreaking forbidden love between the two main characters, but should this movie take home a best picture Oscar? I honestly don't think so. I do think that Heath Ledger and Michelle Williams should win awards for their performances --especially Heath Ledger. Locally and nationally, there has been a lot of press regarding the "Gay Cowboy Movie" and I want to note that my Luke warm reception of the movie is not based on any homosexual phobias whatsoever. I, and the two friends I saw the movie with, are women in our early 40's who are about as open minded as you can possibly get. We all walked away from this movie with the same "what's the fuss all about?" look on our faces. Still, it's a good movie, beautifully shot and acted, but, in my opinion, not worthy of the high praise that it has received.