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4.254.155.213
Saw it with the missus and we both agreed (not a common experience): the best movie we've seen in a long time, certainly the best of this year (caveat: we haven't seen Capote, Grizzly, or Squid yet).
Heath Ledger deserves all the acclaim he's receiving. He's one of the few actors that can hold your attention seemingly without moving or saying a word. This is Oscar level acting.
Jake G, of whom I'm not a fan, is perfectly cast and does a splendid job, as well.
Both of the wives and the daughers are terrific, especially Ennis's oldest daughter.
This film astounds because in three genres, gay/Western/love story, it refuses to use even one cliché.
Heretofore, I wasn't an admirer of Ang Lee's talents, neither appreciating The Hulk nor The Ice Storm--- in fact, I dislike them both.
In B M, he's climbed to the pinnacle of directorial skill.
Don't go expecting to be led by the nose or have self-righteous speeches thrown at you. This is a quiet movie that will throw you as hard as any bronco could.
Follow Ups:
The Marlboro Man? The Lone Ranger and Tonto?Good God, straight people really do live in a bubble.
Jeffery
Haven't seen many comments from Gay asylum members here so let me chime in. The relationship tension is 'spot on' I know, I've lived this life. To be always denied the right to commit to a relationship and to have your lover 'hung up' on conforming to a hetero stereotype is painful. This film made me cry as it struck home deeply. If you are straight I don't think you pick up on the subtle clues expressed between the characters. What stares out from the screen is the needs of these two guys are differrent. One wants love and the other sex. I know this is simplyfying matters however it is often these two elements that drive relationships apart.This movie was made by someone who knows how a gay mind works!
Simply beautiful.
smat845
not the only gay in the village!
Thanks for the incite about this film. It seems that the actual story escapes most....especially those who refuse to see it.I would differ with you, however in your conclusion that this is anything but a story about all relationships...what needs fuel them and what rewards motivate them.
As with all forms of art, the artist seeks universal truth in the message. Some will get it and some will not.
Later
D
Here's a letter a friend of a friend wrote in response to an opinion piece about "Brokeback Mountain":-----
To the editor:
Aside from the fact that those who tend sheep are shepherds, not cowboys, and that the word "gay," as opposed to "homosexual," implies some degree of self-acceptance, and disregarding the inappropriate labeling as "gay" of a straight director's movie starring straight actors, made from a straight writer's screenplay based on another straight writer's short story, and viewed by mostly straight audiences, I suppose Meghan Daum [author of the op-ed] may have a legitimate point about "gay cowboys" emoting in the "gay
movie,"Brokeback Mountain."If I'm a little cranky about "Brokeback Mountain" it's because I'm old enough to remember when gay characters in fiction were required to come to ugly ends, just like Jack's violent death in this movie or Ennis's lonely old age, not to mention the grisly murder of the old man in the story from Jack's childhood. I remember too the several closeted homosexual men in my own family, heavy drinkers like Jack and Ennis, strangers to their wives, their kids and themselves, leading deceitful, unfulfilled lives and bringing misery to those around them. I joined gay liberation 35 years ago so I wouldn't have to follow their examples.
If it weren't so clearly an anachronistic heterosexual daydream, "Brokeback Mountain" might take me back to a period of history I'm glad is over and done with.
----
I haven't seen "Brokeback Mountain" because, to me, the only reason to see it is to watch the guys screw and I doubt it shows much: Wouldn't want to alienate those straight viewers! But a friend, a closet sociologist, has encouraged me to see it just to check out the audience and watch their reactions.
Jeffery
which brought the Chinese film a notch higher.Joseph
slipping mind. A damn fine film, as well.
I thought it was OK, but the relationship's emotions weren't that well-handled, which is a problem with almost all american films about relationships between partners. The amercan directors aren't very subtle about the undercurrents in relationships.
That was the strength of the film. The tension between the Jack who was more verbal and emotional--- and comfortable being so--- and Ennis's denial and obvious problems with commitment. Did you, perhaps, miss the background of Ennis? Being orphaned at a young age would have exactly that impact.
Jack and Ennis's relationships with their wives brilliantly was shown.
I think, possibly being European, you are used to endless speeches between characters where endlessly they parse their feelings: I'm especially thinking of French films where no amount of discussion of "amour" ever bores anyone involved but never ceases to make me reach for the fast forward button.
To SHOW rather than tell is the challenge to a film maker. You want verbiage? Read a novel.
My biggest problem was that i couldn't tell what drew them together and kept them together as lovers. Was it just sex? That seemed kind of shallow.
as sharing. One doesn't swipe a shirt, and keep it spirited away, of someone considered but a good lay.
I don't know what "chemistry" clarkie is referring to. When they met for the first time after a long separation that mutual assault under the windows of Ennis's apartment seemed quite... passionate. Clark probably needs to rent a few XXX films to get a fix of his type of "chemistry."
Oddly, he thought Ennis was extremely well-acted. I wonder if Clark feels Ledger was emoting to a sheep. Hard to praise someone as doing a fantastic job in a love story if he doesn't "sell" the emotional attachment.
For these two such dissimilar men to continue their relationship, under dangerous circumstances, for such a long time proves the relationship is serious.
d
The film portrayed a lot of lonliness, not only through the remoteness of the locales but the subsequent relationships the men took on. Much of the emotional relationship is contrasted against this isolation; the rest is left to the viewers imagination.
I really liked it as well. My girlfriend expressed some disappointments based on her expectations from reading the book but I thought it was one of last years best movies ... along with "Capote", "Goodnight and Goodluck" and "Grizzly Man".
...in my previous note (see below) I mentioned several internal implausibilities, to which I now add another: While a big deal was made by Ennis' wife about the unused creelbox, the director often chose to show the men camped out by a running river. Surely two guys who go horseriding and hunting would not fail to fish? Ang Lee accepted that plot point in the original story, but couldn't refrain from depicting gorgeous scenic backgrounds that contradicted it.Again I repeat my refrain, we are (cinematically) a nation of set designers.
Apart from Heath Ledger's extraordinary accomplishment, I don't think the movie will go down in history. Only its oh-so-correct gay element gives it the buzz, and that element was far better treated in an altogether superior film, Mysterious Life.
clark
I disagree with most your points and think you are nitpicking.The "buzz" isn't because this a "Gay movie", it's because "Brokeback Mountain" is a damn good movie. The fact they are having an"uncoventional" relationship brought the film to a deeper, dangerous dramatic level that had more possibilities then your average "heterosexual" drama.
I certainly didn't regret the time spent, but as I said before, not for one moment did I believe in their relationship.To this day the portrayal of real sexual feelings between two men who identify as regular-guy masculine has not been done on the big screen or on TV. The short story was far better in that regard. But insofar as the film did somewhat break out of the envelope (in a PC-approved way, of course), it has generated interest.
clark
lurks a Goldilocks.Clark, what exactly do you mean by "regular-guy masculine"?
You mean like Marlon Brando in "A Streetcar Named Desire"? Oh wait--that was written by gay guy.
Is possible for two "regular-guy masculine" guys to express "real sexual feelings" for each other and still be "regular-guy masculine," whatever that means?
You do realize that all gender is role playing, a kind of drag? And that, since it is all drag, it is impossible for one role to be more authentic than another?
Or are you just one of those self-hating femme types who still has a crush on the guy who pumped gas at the station on the corner?
Sorry, I know it seems like I have picked on you a lot today, but you keep posting and you keep posting really stupid things.
Jeffery
Now go take that nasty mouse of yours and stuff it up where there ain't no daylight and pleasure yourself to tears.clark
. . . are beautiful, like a rainbow.Jeffery
d
screenplay with "real sexual feelings" and then act and direct.
We're waiting...
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