"Bottom line is... we're around each other an'... this thing, it grabs hold of us again... at the wrong place... at the wrong time... and we're dead. " - Ennis

Rating: 10/10 (6 January 2006)

It seems as though whenever the subject of 'Brokeback Mountain' comes up almost everyone is quick to make jokes. 'Fudgepack Mountain', 'Bareback Mountain', 'Breaking My Back on a Mountain', etc. To be honest, I felt the idea of a film about two gay cowboys was flat-out stupid. I mean it's perfect bait for a Saturday Night Live skit. Then about a month before release I heard all these incredible rave reviews from film critics across the globe. The New York Film Critics and Los Angeles Film Critics both named it the 'Best Film of 2005'. The most negative review I read of 'Brokeback' was a '3 stars out of 4 stars' review. I couldn't believe it, and I had to see it. If everyone was raving about this film, I knew I had to see it so I could have an opinion about it. I went with my sister's fiancé, Mike. We are both straight, but we were able to put the mild homophobia we shared behind us and enjoy the film. I personally went into it thinking it was going to be pure graphic and explicit gay sex the movie critics panned as brilliant to be what every asshole in Hollywood is -- "politically correct." But let me tell you something, when those ending credits started to roll I thought to myself, "My god, was I wrong!" I knew at that moment I just viewed a beautifully crafted masterpiece with some of finest ensemble acting I've seen in years. 'Brokeback Mountain' will move most people emotionally no matter what orientation, race or creed.
A common mis-conception about 'Brokeback Mountain' is that it is the gay cowboy movie. It's not, really. Deep down, it's a film about love and real life. The film doesn't distinguish gay and straight and 50% of the love agony is from straight relationships. 'Brokeback' is a portrait of four very unhappy people trying to find true love and more importantly happiness. Ennis can't find happiness with Alma since he can never have the same love for her as he does Jack, and Alma can't find happiness with her 'gay' husband because he's gay. (same thing with Jack's wife). 'Brokeback Mountain' rises above the labeling of 'gay', 'straight', or 'bi' and just labels these people as 'humans'. It preaches a positive message that love isn't just about straightness, gayness or even sex. Love is a force of nature, like the slogan of the film says, and it cannot be controlled. This is a message everyone can get no matter what orientation or social backgrounds.
From a technical stand-point 'Brokeback Mountain' is all the more brilliant. Ang Lee (who has previous shown his diversity from going from a film like 'Sense and Sensibility' to 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon) even furthers his range with this. When you think a movie surrounding issues stemming from homosexuality, the last film director that comes to mind is Ang Lee, a straight Asian film director. However, Ang Lee provides us with excellent and eye-popping direction capturing some of the most beautiful sites on screen, the beautiful mountain-range and country scenery is undeniably breathtaking. Lee also does a masterful job capturing the actor's emotions which are even more brilliant than the dialogue. Not to take anything away from the writing, 'Brokeback Mountain' has a rich, multi-layered and complicated screenplay that will no doubt win the 'Best Adapted Screenplay' Oscar come March. IThe best aspect about this motion picture in my opinion, however, is the acting. Heath Ledger gives a performance so exquisite and indescribably powerful that it reminds me of previous work from a young Brando or DeNiro. What shocked me most about the movie was Ledger's capability to engage you through the entire runtime and make it seem so natural. You know an actor is ingenious in their craft when they can make it seem easy. In a less awe-inspiring role, Jake Gyllenhaal is outstanding to say the absolute least as the tortured soul that is Jack Twist, who yearns more than anyone else in the film to be happy. Gyllenhaal and Ledger steal the entire film from the ladies, but Michelle Williams still manages to move audiences with her compelling portrayal of Alma , a woman who does the best with knowing her husband is gay, while Anne Hathaway who was previously known for less than impressive work in 'The Princess Diaries' opens us up to a whole new side of her with a performance that is quiet yet first-rate none-the-less.
I recommend 'Brokeback Mountain' to people who admire excellent and innovative cinema like I do, and for people who can excuse some gay scenes for one remarkable film. I went into 'Brokeback Mountain' figuring I'd get some material for jokes but what I got was a masterpiece and a lump in my throat which lasted an entire hour. I predict this will go down in film history as a classic. Grade: A (screened at Harkins Camelview 5, Scottsadle, Arizona, 1/2/06)