One of 2005's greatest

Rating: 9/10 (19 May 2011)

One of greatest films to come out of 2005 leaving audiences in awe and appreciation would be the three time academy award winning masterpiece known as Brokeback Mountain. This drama/romance follows the lives of two young adults who suddenly begin a physical relationship while working at an isolated location for one summer during the year of 1963. Ennis Del Mar, played by Heath Ledger, and Jack Twist, played by Jake Gyllenhaal, learn to deal with their newly formed relationship while being thrown back into their usual life after their summer of working together ends. The film depicts the emotional journey that each character embarks and highlights significant moments of their lives apart over a twenty year gap.
Both Ennis and Jack come from very different home lives in the state of Wyoming but still represent their western charm after taking up a summer of hard labor to support themselves. They spend each day caring for sheep among the cold nights while still finding time to relax and become one with the beautiful openness of Brokeback Mountain. Ennis and Jack slowly begin to open up to each other, usually at the nighttime after a hard days work, telling stories of their childhood and their dreams. It is evident from the beginning that Jack may in fact find Ennis to be desirable and that comes to be the truth after a heavy night of downing whiskey when Jack makes a move on Ennis. The immediate shock of this interaction leaves Ennis to get angry but Ennis soon gives in to his advances after they both feel comfortable enough to sleep together in the tent during a cold, rainy evening. Their first physical interaction is shot with the point of view from Ennis, clearly showing his battle with wanting something that he knows may in fact be wrong. This portrays one of the major themes throughout the film.
Because the film begins in 1963, when both characters are relatively young, and ends in the mid 1980s, a lot of activity and emotions are presented. Both characters soon go on to marry and have children which is portrayed in a way of nothing but stress and confusion that eventually leads to a large amount of strain on both of their marriages. It is not until four years after their goodbye that Jack visits Ennis which leads to a memorable, passionate kiss outside his apartment. Ennis's wife accidentally views this from the front door which also begins her first moments of wanting to flee from their once perfect marriage. They soon divorce leading Jack to believe that Ennis has finally made his mind up about what he wants out of life but Ennis makes it clear to him that they cannot have a life together. Their relationship continues to go from up and down, with little interaction here and there, but still resorting back to saying goodbye leaving both of them in a confused state. Their overall relationship is amplified by a quiet, almost sad, guitar stringing followed by old-fashion country music to light up the dramatics behind their goodbyes. They both lead purposeful lives but are clearly not as happy as they should be. Jack continues to make a point that they could have had a life together, fishing and living in a cabin by the woods, living on nothing but love. Unfortunately, during this time, societies negative opinion on gay relationships causes Ennis to disregard any type of structured love. Brokeback Mountain is truly a love story back dropped against drama, strength, sorrow and lust; all things that make a powerful love story.