Small moments are the best

Rating: 9/10 (24 April 2006)

There is a sequence smack in the middle of the movie where the two characters have matured, their lives are carrying on, and they meet on Brokeback Mountain for the umpteenth time. The smile, the recognition, the evident love and loyalty all become clear with one word from Jack, "you're late". . . along with an unintelligible apology from Ennis; perhaps this was the most poignant and bittersweet moment in the movie.
The movie becomes more painful to watch -- earlier in the film -- with each viewing. This, I believe, is because the irony builds early on with the help of very subtle, but powerful character development. Some examples include: talking about the Pentecost and being completely ignorant -- their lack of knowledge of this is perhaps a harbinger of their doom? Some examples of innocence also build upon my emotions: the fascination with hail, kidding about rodeoing, making the tent look right.