28 from Glasgow, love films - so you'll probably only ever see me write about them lol
28 from Glasgow, love films - so you'll probably only ever see me write about them lol
Member since:08.03.2004
Reviews:116
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Originally a short story by Annie Proulx, Brokeback Mountain is screenplayed by Larry McMurtry and brought to the big screen by Ang Lee. Set over three decades, Jack Twist is a rodeo cowboy who goes in search of work and is sent up Brokeback Mountain with drifter Ennis Del Mar through the cold winter to herd sheep. When the cold winter gets too much for them, they bunk in the tent together for heat, and there begins an emotional and forbidden sexual relationship that will stay with them through their adult lives. When the winter is over, the men go their seperate ways, get married and have kids. Jack continues to embrace that side of his sexuality on weekends away with Ennis, but as those weekends become fewer over the years, he searches elsewhere to satisfy that side of himself. Ennis, however, isn't so free about his sexuality, chosing to repress himself and reveal that side of his nature only to Jack.
When this film was originally released, it came with a sensational hype regarding the relationship of the two main characters, but Brokeback Mountain is more than just a shocking story of two men in a sexual relationship at a time where it was mostly forbidden. Its a sad but funny, brilliantly acted, beautifully written assessment of love between two people who are meant to be together but who know that they cant be together due to the bigotry and restrictions of society. Many have spoken about the sex scene's that apparently take place, but having actually saw the film, there is only one sex scene that might offend the easily offended, so if you are someone who would balk at two men kissing and getting a touch rough with each other, then its best that you avoid watching it at all. But for open minded people who are prepared to give a good heartbreaking story about love a chance, this isn't about the sex, and it isn't about shocking heterosexual eyes. Less takes place here that what you might seen between a heterosexual couple in other films. Basic Instinct for the gays, it is not.
The scenery is a major part of the film. Long lingering shots of the landscape and the backdrop of the mountain make it a mesmerising joy to view. This is supported by a subtle but gorgeous score that never steals the film, but lies heavy in the background to support the characters in their painstaking journey through their lives and subsequent relationships. Jake Gyllenhaal is blinding as the more innocent of the two men, whilst the more cynical role goes to Heath Ledger who threatens to steal the show with a performance of absolute intensity and heart break. But rare in a film that focuses so heavily on two characters, do the supporting cast get such a chance to shine too. Michelle Williams gives a sterling performance that might well be the finest of her career as the heartbroken wife of Ennis. Anne Hathaway, who is fast becoming one of Hollywood's finest young actresses, gives up a belter as the increasingly bitter wife of Jack. And even Scary Movie's hilarious Anna Faris turns up for a scene stealing cameo towards the end of the film. Again, this isn't a film about people being gay and having gay sex, its a brutally honest and sometimes brutal film about two people who love each other but are forbidden from being together in an uncompromising society that tells us its wrong to live any other way than the one preached by the bible. And whether you are gay, or straight, the haunting finale of the film is something that all of us can relate to in one way or another.
The DVD features a couple of documentaries that chart the making of the film, as well as some interesting interviews with the controversial director and his film making crew. But mostly the DVD is worth buying so you can watch the film over and over again.
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Production Year: 1957 - Drama - Director: Leo McCarey - Original Language: English - Classification: Universal - Starring: Cathleen Nesbitt, Deborah Kerr, Cary Grant, Richard Denning, Neva Patterson, Fortunio Bonanova
Production Year: 2004 - Drama - Director: Nick Cassavetes - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over, 12 years and over - Starring: Rachel McAdams, Ryan Gosling, Gena Rowlands
From Academy Award-winning filmmaker Ang Lee comes an epic American love story, Brokeback ... more
Mountain. Set against the sweeping vistas of Wyoming and Texas, the film tells the story of two young men - a ranch-hand and a rodeo cowboy - who meet in the summ...
Jan 4th, 2007
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