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Brokeback Mountain (2005)
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Movie Review by Rodney 
March 9th, 2006
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Ang Lee's Brokeback Mountain is a well-acted, well-developed story of 2 cowboys that act on their feelings regardless of how many people they will destroy in the process.
Jake Gyllenhall plays the role of Jack Twist, a bull rider from Texas who comes to signal, Wyoming to work as a sheepherder for the summer. Heath Ledger is Ennis, a quiet, but tall man looking for work and decides that a summer on brokeback would be as good as any old place.
The shots that Ang Lee uses on Brokeback are so beautiful I thought I was watching a documentary at first. Any minute I expected Morgan Freeman to narrate the sheep's daily routine and the harsh conditions they've been placed in. Lee proves he still has what it takes even after directing the Hulk.
It's not long before Ennis and Jack forcefully express their love (or lack their of) not thinking about what is waiting for them back home or who may be effected by their decision. The first reaction to both is denial peppered with shame and fear. Ennis has been brought up to hate homosexuality and a fear has been enstilled in him ever since he was a child. Jack doesn't want to see their relationship end after this summer and has nothing to lose in the process of convincing Ennis to stay with him. Nonetheless, when the summer ends, they go their seperate ways, yet always thinking about the time they had together on Brokeback.
For 4 years Ennis and Jack haven't spoken. Ennis is now married and has 2 children. Jack is making a living participating in rodeos down in Texas. Ennis gets a postcard from Jack and it immediately stirs the emotions he shared with Jack on that mountain. They both decide to see each other as often as possible and disguise it as "fishing trips." It isn't long before the truth comes out and from that moment on Ennis and Jack reap the consequences of their decision for the rest of their lives.
Brokeback Mountain isn't a love story in the least bit. Jack is driven by the physicalities of the relationship. He lusts for Ennis and since this lifestyle was forbidden in this time period (and in this location) Ennis is the only person he love short from a male prostitue in Texas. It's also deadly for Jack to search outside of Ennis to find what he wants. Homosexuality was dealt with severely by locals and there was a lot to lose other than speaking rights. As for Ennis, he cares more for Jack as a friend rather than a lover. He would be comfortable ending his relationship with him if he knew it wouldn't tear Jack apart.
Ang Lee provides one of the best character dramas in years. He faces real issues with real people. Not once does he offend or sully his agenda. The story is compelling and something everyone can relate to in spite of all the controversy and the rough subject matter. Brokeback may not of won best picture, but it's a picture that will stick with the viewer long after the theatre is empty.
Ennis Del Mar: Bottom line is... we're around each other an'... this thing, it grabs hold of us again... at the wrong place... at the wrong time... and we're dead.
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