Brokeback Mountain (2005)

DIRECTOR: Ang Lee
STUDIO: Focus Features
STARRING: Jake Gyllenhaal, Heath Ledger, Michelle Williams
RATING: R
GENRE: Drama, Romance

GRADE: B


This film has received so much hype since it was announced, but it has taken me 7 years to see this movie. (Granted, I was in middle school when it was released) Regardless, I have heard good, bad and in between reviews and I knew I had to see it for myself.

"Brokeback Mountain" is about two men, Ennis (Ledger) and Jack (Gyllenhaal) who work herding sheep on Brokeback Mountain. (get it?) One night, Jack makes a pass at Ennis, and from then to the rest of their summer they have a sexual and emotional relationship. The next two acts are about their adjustment to their life back where they must conform to society's wants. (marriage, kids, etc.)

Heath Ledger reminds me of a modern-day Marlon Brando. He doesn't just become a actor portraying a role, but he embodies that character completely. Not to say that Gyllenhaal's performance is any less, but it's hard to hold a candle to somebody with such screen presence and raw talent.

The best part about the film is not necessarily the story, because it begins to become predictable, but the chemistry and passion you feel for these two leads. You root for them and side with their love, which is something that many films do so well.

My complaints are only that fact that the motivation behind many characters are not always clear. Especially with Anne Hathaway's character, who grows from a carefree rodeo girl to a business manager with little or no explanation of how or why. This is a very mild complaint, because other than that, this is a wonderful film about how two souls just fell in love.