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DVD Brokeback Mountain (Widescreen Edition)
A sad, melancholy ache pervades Brokeback Mountain, Ang Lee's haunting, moving film that, like his other movies, explores societal constraints and the passions that lurk underneath. This time, however, instead of taking on ancient China, 19th-century England, or '70s suburbia, Lee uses the tableau of the American West in the early '60s to show how two lovers are bound by their expected roles, how they rebel against them, and the repercussions for each of doing so--but the romance here is between two men. Ennis Del Mar (Heath Ledger) and Jack Twist (Jake Gyllenhaal) are two itinerant ranchers looking for work in Wyoming when they meet and embark on a summer sheepherding job in the shadow of titular Brokeback Mountain. The taciturn Ennis, uncommunicative in the extreme, finds himself opening up around the gregarious Jack, and the two form a bond that surprisingly catches fire one cold night out in the wilderness. Separating at the end of the summer, each goes on to marry and have children, but a reunion years later proves that, if anything, their passion for each other has grown significantly. And while Jack harbors dreams of a life together, the tight-lipped Ennis is unable to bring himself to even consider something so revolutionary.
Its open, unforced depiction of love between two men made Brokeback an instant cultural touchstone, for both good and bad, as it was tagged derisively as the "gay cowboy movie," but also heralded as a breakthrough for mainstream cinema. Amidst all the hoopla of various agendas, though, was a quiet, heartbreaking love story that was both of its time and universal--it was the quintessential tale of star-crossed lovers, but grounded in an ever-changing America that promised both hope and despair. Adapted by Larry McMurtry and Diana Ossana from Annie Proulx's short story, the movie echoes the sparse bleakness of McMurtry's The Last Picture Show with its fading of the once-glorious West; but with Lee at the helm, it also resembles The Ice Storm, as it showed the ripple effects of a singular event over a number of people. As always, Lee's work with actors is unparalleled, as he elicits graceful, nuanced performances from Michelle Williams and Anne Hathaway as the wives affected overtly and subliminally by their husbands' affair, and Gyllenhaal brings surprising dimensions to a character that could have easily just been a puppy dog of a boy. It's Ledger, however, who's the breakthrough in the film, and his portrait of an emotionally repressed man both undone and liberated by his feelings is mesmerizing and devastating. Spare in style but rich with emotion, Brokeback Mountain earns its place as a classic modern love story. --Mark Englehart
Review(s): DVD Brokeback Mountain (Widescreen Edition)
If Nothing Else, This Film Will Give You Something To Think About
First of all, as a straight male, I was not at all interested in watching a love story about two men. I happened to come across this movie on HBO one night and was immediately drawn in. I really appreciated it as a work of art and social commentary. It tells a great story without having to say a whole lot. Perhaps this movie came out at just the right time - with the White House pushing for an ammendment to ban gay marriage and states putting the question of gay marriage up to a vote.
Ang Lee directed what I would consider an accurate portrayal about the consequences of being forced into the closet. Art imitates life like never before in this movie. We've seen gay men with wives and children in politics outed (NJ Gov. McGreevey), and men in the entertainment industry caught living the lie. What this movie does is show that being unaccepting of gays and forcing them into the closet is not only devistating for them, but for the women and children who unwittingly end up as victims to the closeting. In my opinion, this is where the movie shines most. Their relationships with their families are predictably horrible. I tried to imagine myself in a reverse situation where I would be inclined to form a relationship with a man in order to live in a society unaccepting of who I really am. Frankly, I wouldn't be able to do it.
I agree with most reviewers in their praise of Brokeback Mountain. The acting is very good. The direction is outstanding. I do have a few complaints though. The sound is absolutely horrible. Much of the dialogue could use subtitles. The premise is a bit of a stretch too. The love affair transcends decades despite no communication between them except for a few words on a post card to setup a trip together. Long distance relationships are difficult when the two parties are in constant communication. With the infrequency of their time together and hardly any communication in between, the two men would be more like strangers than to one another than a couple. I also found that Jack's parents were needlessly odd, but we only see them for five minutes.
To thine own self be true
Yet here, Laertes! Aboard, aboard for shame!
The wind sits in the shoulder of your sail,
And you are stay'd for.
There ... my blessing with thee!
And these few precepts in thy memory
Look thou character. Give thy thoughts no tongue,
Nor any unproportion'd thought his act.
Be thou familiar, but by no means vulgar.
Those friends thou hast, and their adoption tried,
Grapple them to thy soul with hoops of steel;
But do not dull thy palm with entertainment
Of each new-hatch'd, unfledg'd comrade. Beware
Of entrance to a quarrel but, being in,
Bear't that th' opposed may beware of thee.
Give every man thy ear, but few thy voice;
Take each man's censure, but reserve thy judgement.
Costly thy habit as thy purse can buy,
But not express'd in fancy; rich, not gaudy;
For the apparel oft proclaims the man;
And they in France of the best rank and station
Are of a most select and generous chief in that.
Neither a borrower, nor a lender be;
For loan oft loses both itself and friend,
And borrowing dulls the edge of husbandry.
This above all: to thine own self be true,
And it must follow, as the night the day,
Thou canst not then be false to any man.
Farewell; my blessing season this in thee!
-- William Shakespeare
I cannot add or subtract anymore from this.
Best Picture 2005
Rent/buy this movie, period. This is the best film of 2005, and most critics agree--which is rare. In fact I have yet to read an unfavorable review written by a professional critic. Anyone who would rate this film less than A- in Story, Acting, Direction, Visuals, and Overall probably did not actually see the film! It is such an honest portrayal of two people's love for each other.
The breathtaking cinematography alone is oscar-worthy. Then you have the masterpiece short and simple story transformed to the big screen effortlessly. Heath Ledger could have won best actor for his portrayal of the cowboy whose emotions were so far bottled up inside him that he could barely speak. You can feel his every emotion, ranging from guilt, embarrassment, sorrow and joy without his uttering more than a few syllables. Jake is also brilliant. Both are at the beginning of very long and fruitful careers if this is a part of what they are capable of.
This film starts in 1963, a time when acceptance of diversity was not widespread. In some ways we have come a long way from that time period, but in others our country has not. This film affirms why two people in love (man/woman, man/man, woman/woman) should be given equal rights in marriage under the law--why marriage has caused a big policital debate does not make sense. Aren't there other, more significant global problems to deal with than two people in love wanting to have a recognized committed relationship? This film is not about that issue specifically, but it is impossible not to consider this after you see the results of these two men living a life of secrets and lies over several years. One tries to come up with a solution, whereas the other is too ashamed and fearful to pursue his truth. And it is a shame--a very sad reality. See the movie, especially if you are hetero, because for 2 hours you may see the best film ever made about two men in love, and some of the challenges it can bring. Ask yourself what you would do in either of the men's situations. Would you be honest about who you are and who you love or hide in shame and fear because of how others might judge you?
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