Brokeback Mountain

Genre: personal drama
Director: Ang Lee
Release: 2005
Studio: Ennis Films et al. - Universal Pictures
Rating: R
MBiS score: 8.4/10


Love of a Different Kind but Love Nonetheless


The State of Wyoming in the summer of 1963. Sheepman Joe Aguirre (Randy Quaid) hires Jack Twist (Jake Gyllenhaal) and Ennis Del Mar (Heath Ledger) to watch over his herd on Brokeback Mountain. The two hired men don’t have much in common (Jack likes to clown around, Ennis is quiet and brooding), but the oppressiveness and monotony of their work up on the mountain will bring them together in ways they never could have imagined. With Michelle Williams (Alma), Anne Hathaway (Lureen Newsome), Linda Cardellini (Cassie), Scott Michael Campbell (Monroe), Anna Faris (Lashawn Malone) and David Harbour (Randall Malone, Lashawn’s husband).

To many movie fans, BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN is a milestone because, until its release, Hollywood had rarely dealt so honestly with the issue of homosexuality. Of course, the subject is not new (Hanif Kureishi, screenwriter for MY BEAUTIFUL LAUNDRETTE, recently remarked that it had been discussed in England twenty years before) but this American film was worth the wait for it treats its characters respectfully and in very good taste.

Overall, the pacing of Ang Lee’s film, its tone and even certain scenes recall URBAN COWBOY; Jake Gyllenhaal looks somewhat like John Travolta, especially with his hat on, and the personal dramas lived by Ennis and Jack again reminded me of James Bridges’ 1980 film. Continuing on this train of thought, I may add that Gustavo Santaolalla’s music – which blends so harmoniously with the narrative – echoes that of Neil Young circa 1972 (his HARVEST recordings). But enough comparisons… BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN has a soul all its own and a sad beauty admirably expressed by those gorgeous Alberta settings where the mountain episodes were shot. As in life, the movie also offers a few good laughs, courtesy of that crazy cowboy named Jack Twist, the only guy who can bring a smile to Ennis Del Mar’s anguished face.

What more can I say? That the script for this tale of love and longing is nuanced and absolutely perfect (it was penned by Larry McMurtry and Diana Ossana who based it on a short story by E. Annie Proulx). That Jack and Ennis are two very touching dudes. That everyone in the cast performed amazingly, especially Jake, Heath and Michelle Williams (a New York Times critic compared Heath to Brando and Sean Penn at their best… and I won’t argue). That Ang Lee worked wonders behind the scenes and, as a tribute to him and to all involved, BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN was showered with awards at the Golden Globes, in Berlin, at the Oscars and elsewhere.

Here’s your chance to stick another feather in your movie lover’s cap.


MBiS

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