 Brokeback Mountian 21 of 30 people found this review helpful.
Brokeback Mountain
Director: Ang Lee
Starring: Heath Ledger, Jake Gyllenhaal
You can almost see the Hollywood mogul checking his list of attributes required for an Oscar-winning film: big-name talented director? Check. Young, fresh actors as yet unrecognised by the Academy? Check. Worthy theme regarding some social inequality or intolerance? Check. Ponderous, epic shots of scenery, heart-breaking resolution, decade spanning storyline? Check, check, check.
Ang Lee's latest film has Academy Award Nomination written all over it. The tale of the forbidden love of two cowboys who first met in the 60's mid-west sheep-herding is a poised if ponderous film of undoubted depth and subtlety. There are the slow takes of the Wyoming mountains, drawn-out drawls of dialogue and tackling of tough topics. A solid if unspectacular performance by Heath Ledger anchors the film but it is Jake Gyllenhaal's turn as his lover and challenger that is truly deserving of the plaudits. By turns understated and explosive, Gyllenhall shows his strength and depth of acting chops, stealing every scene he's in.
Although this film is slower than a sheep on sedatives it manages to instill a real sense of emotional and philosophical depth through it's monosyllabic protagonist. Ang Lee's directorial style is as epic and encompassing as ever, accentuating the nuances of E. Annie Proulx's original short-story with a social commentary and sensitive communication harking back to Lee's debut feature The Ice Storm.
Brokeback Mountain is a rewarding, eloquent and emotive film destined for Oscar success. And Gyllenhall and Ledger sure do make a helluva sweet couple.
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Synopsis
Based on the short story by Pulitzer Prize-winning author E. Annie Proulx, 'Brokeback Mountain' is the tragic and moving story of two cowboys who unexpectedly fall in love while working together one summer in 1963. When the film begins, rodeo cowboy Jack Twist (Jake Gyllenhaal) and ranch-hand Ennis Del Mar (Heath Ledger) are strangers meeting for the first time. As the more outgoing one, it is Jack who must initiate a friendship with Ennis, a man so tight-lipped and self-consciously macho he refuses all facial expression. From this strained beginning, Jack and Ennis gradually begin to bond on cold lonely nights over a fire in the mountains of Signal, Wyoming. One particularly chilly evening, Jack invites Ennis into his tent, where a sudden awkward embrace sends their relationship in a new direction. Though each man stubbornly defends his heterosexuality, the spark between them cannot help but grow, with that initial summer on Brokeback Mountain becoming their reference point for happiness during the rest of their lives. Spanning 20 years, the film moves at an impressively slow pace that really captures the detailed and unhurried style of Proulx's story. Seeing each other a few times a year at best, Ennis and Jack spend the rest of their time halfheartedly living up to society's expectations by marrying and having kids. When the lovers do meet, there is a sense of love so palpable and frustrating it often manifests itself in physical violence. Gyllenhaal shines as the film's hopeful light, and Ledger gives a powerful performance as the emotionally blocked Ennis. Academy Award-winning director Ang Lee captures the natural beauty of Wyoming and Texas with camerawork that, while beautiful, never feels imposing. Gustavo Santaolalla's simple yet haunting score helps to complete a beautiful portrait of regret and wasted chances.
Review
Outstanding acting, outstanding story, outstanding directing, outstanding filming - this movie is simply a masterpiece, and it compromises at nothing. Heath Ledger probably has the role of his life in this movie - who would have believed he could act like this? - and Jake Gyllenhaal actually outshines him in his role - he should deffinitely have had the academy award for best supporting act, rather than George Clooney for his fair but not overly impressive role in the otherwise excellent Syriana. Ang Lee desserved the Academy Award for best directing - once again - and the Academy - once again - failed to make a political stand by giving this movie the award for best film of the year. Crash was good, but no way as good as this one. See this - and be moved to tears.
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