A lot has been written about this film already, mostly due to its controversial content involving two cowboys in a homosexual relationship. However, the film itself is quite another thing to behold not least because it is well-executed and the story arc engages for the entire movie.
In a nutshell: Ennis Del Mar and Jack Twist meet one summer, protecting a flock of sheep on Brokeback Mountain, Wyoming. During this period they develop both a physical and emotional affection for each other and then go their separate ways. Ennis marries his sweetheart Alma and has two daughters, Jack marries Lureen and has a son. When Jack drops in on Ennis four years later their relationship is reignited to the detriment of Ennis' and Alma's marriage. They dream about living together but face the cruel reality of a conservative society.
What's outstanding about this film is how the characters interact, bringing to the movie a reality I never thought possible of a 'gay cowboy flick'. Jake Gyllenhall's energetic Jack foils well against Heath Ledger's reticent Ennis and it is the tension between these two that foreground the film not as a 'gay cowboy flick' but as a movie about men and love. Ennis' marriage to Alma is not loveless, but it is made with a love more dutiful than his feelings for Jack. It is her intolerance for this dispassion that leads to divorce rather than solely his affair with Jack; Ennis and Jack's relationship only highlights for Alma what she doesn't have with him. His inhibited relationship with his daughters further illustrates his emotional impotence and even suggests that it is because of his familiarity with male-female relationships that he treats them reservedly.
Jack is a more open character seeming to take love as it comes, which suits his wife Lureen's nonchalance. She is her father's daughter and Jack and Mr Newsome compete not for her affection but dominance. It is Jack's frustration with Ennis' lack of availability (both emotionally and distance-wise) that leads him to seek physical relief elsewhere. His sexual liaisons with other men are not presented as a slight on Ennis but rather Jack's emotion for him overflowing. It is not always clear why Jack loves Ennis so much. Ennis seems to see Jack as an equal, which means their relationship refreshes him of the drudgery of his everyday life, a life which he refuses to change. I think Ennis is the first person who has accepted Jack as he is, unlike his own family and Lureen's family, which is why Ennis remains important, a touchstone to Jack who seeks him for reassurance.
The backdrop of Brokeback Mountain is also a character that cannot be discounted. The vast wilderness is both secretive and unforgiving and illustrates plainly the initial loneliness of the two men when they first meet. Later it comes to represent a certain stability where they return to renew their intimacy. The cinematography and the rich colours of the scenery make this a beautiful film aesthetically while the content provides a subtle depth.
I think it is fair to say that neither character is really actually gay. They love and they love each other and yes there's sex but interestingly there seems to be more intimacy than sex. More than ever I believe their relationship says a lot about loving a person rather than a gender. Two men? Two people who are faced with the impossible task of celebrating their love without jeopardising their safety.
One other remarkable thing is the pace of the film, which is slow but not boring. It's interesting to see Ang Lee, who is a recognised action director (think Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and Hulk), pare back the scenes and reign in the pace while retaining the tension for more than two hours. In fact, the movie is as slow as it can possibly be without being tedious and that's admirable. The sparseness of the scenes bring forward the power of each moment, whether it's an experience of loneliness, need, desire, love or conflict. Not sure if Ledger deserves an Oscar - while his performance is good it works well within the cast ensemble. A special mention to Anne Hathaway who leaves her cutesy teen roles for a perfect, passive Lureen.
I can't believe how beautiful this movie is. If you can leave your prejudices at the box office then you'll see this movie not as a mere 'gay cowboy flick' but, dare I say it, a masterpiece in film-making.
***** - five f*cking stars, I kid you not
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