Lonesome Love

Rating: Null/10 (6 September 2011)

This film is highly recommended.
Ang Lee's mediative and powerful film about a love that dare not speak its name, even with a western twang. Set in Wyoming during the early 60's, two cowboys, Ennis Del Mar and Jack Twist, feel an intense but natural bond as they become drawn to each other over the years. Their initial rapport starts off quite physically before becoming a special but secretive relationship, one that could jeopardize their more conventional relationships and their own lives.
Nominated for 7 Academy Awards ( Winner of 3 Oscars including screenplay, original music score, and Best Director ) the film lost out to Crash that year which many say was an injustice caused by homophobia. The film is a tragic and, at times, haunting masterpiece regardless of that outcome. Director Lee's frank yet sensitive treatment of a developing same sex relationship starts off very leisurely with a tad too many scenic atmospheric images of sunsets and mountain vistas, but build dramatically as the romance begins to deepen. Just as the characters are swept up into the romance, so is the film-goer.
The acting is superlative by its cast ( including an up and coming young Anne Hathaway as Lureen, Joe's girlfriend ) with star turns by Michelle Williams as Ennis' lost soul of a wife, Alma, and Jake Gyllenhaal as his sexy and confused boyfriend, both deservingly nominated in supporting categories. Yet it the late Heath Ledger that transcends his role as a married man yearning for love and finding it too late. His performance is so nuanced and touching. He conveys the anguish and passion both in what he does physically as an actor and what he does intuitively with his hesitant actions, his halted speech patterns, and his far-off introspective stares. It is a completely masterful performance. ( His final parting scene is so heartfelt and gut-wrenching to watch that it leaves one moved to tears. It has also become an iconic moment in modern cinematic history. )
The screenplay by Larry McMurtry and Diana Ossana captures the era well and contains many memorable moments of dialog as the film depicts an unorthodox affair with such refreshing honesty and raw emotion. Production values are top notch also.
Lee and his cast accomplish a wonderful blending of melancholy and genuine artistry. Brokeback Mountain will break your heart as it illuminates the human condition.