Brokeback Mountain: a review

Directed by
Ang Lee

Writing credits (WGA)
E. Annie Proulx (short story)
Larry McMurtry (screenplay)


Brokeback Mountain is a great film. Not just a good film but a great film. It is something almost unheard of in today's film world - a tragedy. In this age of packaged films mostly immature comedies and/or special effects, a beautifully written, directed and acted film is truly a rare bird.

The drama of tragic love has. of course, a long history, going back, at least, to Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. Two people fall in love and circumstances keep them apart. Obviously the fact that in this case the lovers are both men is the reason they try to stay apart and build alternative lives. But that's not what the film is about. It's about how a great love is so powerful it keeps drawing the two lovers back into it, no matter how pervasive the pain it brings - not only to the lovers, but to those who are drawn into their web. Ergo tragedy.





Ann - my partner - says that both of the lead actors - Heath Ledger,who plays Ennis Del Mar, and Jake Gyllenhaal, as Jack Twist - are equally spectacular in their respective performances. This is basically true, but I think Ennis was much more difficult to embody. He is the more traditional stoic cowboy, who says everything with his body and eyes, not with words.

Since we are in the heat of the award season, I should added that's why he is beiing touted for all the "Best Actor"awards and Gyllenhaal is being passed over.



The other character who will break your heart is Alma Del Mar, Ennis' wife played so beautifully by Michelle Williams (who one wag said atones for all those years on Dawson's Creek, with this performance). She will almost certainly get a supporting actor nomination. [More about this when the Oscar noms are announced.]

With Brokeback Mountain Ang Lee solidities his place as, perhaps, the best director of his generation.