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I finally saw this film yesterday. Wonderful acting and excellent cinematography. My wife and I found the relationship too undeveloped to be believable. The initial enounter in the tent was especially unrealistic. It will probably win the Oscar but we thought Crash, Hustle and Flow, Capote, Walk The Line and Cinderella Man were better films.
Follow Ups:
...leaves much unsaid and unfulfilled - that's the point, doncha know, which fact both the script and the imagery underline throughout the film (once the doomed pair leave Brokeback Mountain).In fact, Ennis and Jack's love only truly "blossoms" during that one brief summer on Brokeback Mountain. The rest of the film is how suppresssion and closeting that love, especially Ennis' withdrawal, destroys their emotional lives and those of their families.
I didn't find Annis' and Jack's initial encounter "unrealistic". (I'm neither gay nor a man, but I suspect that the eager Jack and inexperienced Ennis might have initiated sex in just such an awkward way which - BTW - follows Annie Proulx's story.)
I haven't seen Crash. I thought Capote was a fine film, one of the year's best, no agrument there, although I wouldn't say it's better than BM. Hustle & Flow was a good film, even brilliant in spots, and its subject matter is probably more accessible for most audiences, although I don't feel it sustains itself over its entire length and thus doesn't quite rank among the year's very best for me. (Other critics disagree.) Walk The Line is notable for its excellent lead performances but lacks the depth and artistry of either BM or Capote.
Cinderalla Man contained outstanding performances by Crowe (who holds the movie together nearly singlhandedly) and Giametti (who is deservedly nominated for an Oscar) and it is beautifully crafted. It successfully evokes the textures of the Great Depression and boasts several compellingly shot boxing scenes. Despite these virtues, CM is burdened by the fact that neither Opie nor screenwriter Akiva Goldsman can resist the genres' cliches. (In fact, I suspect Akiva Goldsman has never met a cliche he didn't like.)
Different strokes for different folks.
Below is a link to an article that I feel sums up the virtues/artistry of Brokeback Mountain very well:
This isn't the "animal husbandry" clip that was linked here awhile back, but rather a cleverly edited parody that's actually pretty funny without being offensive or overtly stereotypical.
I’ve heard more than a few comments about the “believability” of the relationship portrayed. I think one of the causes of this believability thing is that they’re the product of stereotypes. Ennis and Jack are masculine in all of their outward characteristics when the expectation is for at least one of them to fit the lisping, limp-wristed stereotype of a gay man.I believe the characters were also as fully developed as they needed to be to fit the context of the story. The development of the relationship between the two men begins in the opening scenes as the camera suggests Jack checking out Ennis in the RVM of the truck. It continues with elements like the long shots of Jack on the mountain pastures and Ennis as the glowing spark in the camp…the loneliness and desire for some kind of more meaningful companionship. The film spends a lot of time on this aspect of the early relationship to the point that some viewers think the beginning drags a bit. I believe that this extended development was absolutely necessary for a film intended for mainstream consumption…the short story spends a lot less time with it leaving much to the imagination, an advantage of the written word.
Criticisms regarding the lack of (sexual?) “chemistry” between the main characters seem spurious to me, as if someone is seeking fault and having trouble finding it. What was missing? Believability? Back to the stereotype thing again. Same with comments about leaving an unfinished drink. Wasn’t that a means of portraying Jack’s frustration at being rejected? FWIW, under certain circumstances I and others I know have left unfinished drinks in real life…so what’s the big deal. Carving a turkey? Yes, on close examination the Texas carving seemed awkward but the electric knife in Wyoming was on the mark IMO. What else would you expect a city grocer in the late 70s to be using? Every story can be nit-picked on irrelevant details.
Overall, I thought Brokeback Mountain did a fine job dealing with a controversial issue that many are uncomfortable with. Perfect…no, but better than anything I’ve seen this year or in a long time. Films like Walk the Line are entertainng but are not flawless and aren’t really I the same class IMO.
Will Brokeback win all kinds of Oscars? Probably not…token recognition has already occurred with the nominations. OTOH, who could have imagined that a film about “gay cowboys” could have become as mainstream as it has?
..."OTOH, who could have imagined that a film about “gay cowboys” could have become as mainstream as it has?"Say what?
By mainstream I mean: The film is widely playing in megaplex theatre complexes nationally, not just the arthouse theatres where something like this usually ends up. It's become the subject of "cute" editorial cartoons and serious editorials. Audiences of widely varying backgrounds are paying good money to view it. It's received generally good reviews from professional film reviewers and yes, I know, the goodness isn't unanimous. It's placed in the top 10 for a couple of weeks for either revenue or attendance (forget which). Rush Limbaugh has acknowledged its existance. It's even paid back it's (admittedly low) production costs. To me, that's mainstream...apparently not you...cie la vie.
c
And I quote: "Documentary box office: Hmm... Penguins has earned more than Brokeback, Crash, Capote or GNGL. Granted, an anomaly... nt"Is the intended conclusion that the films you note are not all that mainstream or not that popular? My conclusion is that Penguins was extraordinarily popular. It's been around longer too hasn't it? Seems by your own grant, you've cited an anomalous example to support your position on "mainstream" films.
...that it is.Nor is Penguins, even though one gush read, "First documentary to become mainstream!"
I wasn't aware that rate-of-being-watched was a criterion.
But, you quibble.
clark
Steve O,Those must be your stereotypes. They're not mine. I saw nothing in the beginning of the film that would lead to the first encounter in the tent. That's why I found it unbelievable. Apparently, there was sufficient character development to satisfy you. There wasn't for me.
I've said it was a good film but not the masterpiece that has been touted by many, in my opinion.
And I'd read the story! Also I agree, we weren't looking for the "limp-wristed" "stereotype". Geez Luiz!clark
...Jack was hot-eyed for Ennis at the beginning? Didn't catch all those little looks while they were camping on the mountain? Didn't you get the impression that these two were desperately lonely young men? I guess not.Yeah, I read the story too (albeit when it was in TNY) and I thought the development of the relationship (and the way it was counterpointed with visual imagery) was...well...beautifully done.
It is about emotional suppression y'know.
how would two guys who consider themselves straight and have a hard time yielding to mutual and mutually repressed feelings act like? You don't expect Cary Grant popping a bottle of bubbly and offering it to a coy Audrey Hepburn, do you?
Undeveloped? That was the POINT! They didn't get together very often (remember the one remonstrating with the other several times in key scenes?) and society in them thar parts didn't cotton much to them types of feelins (remember the axe handle scene?).
Anyhow, I've seen Crash and its good but not of the same calibre. Walk the Line and Cinderella Man definitely are "B" movies.
As I said, we didn't find the relationship believable and that detracted from the film for us. We found Crash to be a much more thought provoking film. Different strokes (no pun intended).
Having known closeted gay lovers, the relationship seemed entirely plausible to me, especially given the era and locale.I haven't seen Crash so I can't comment.
I'm not ashamed to say I cried at the end of BM.
Right on the money! nt
.
Prove it.
Although the story is set and it’s all about the Wyoming cowboy’s ways of life however 90% of the sceneries were shot in Alberta. And as the matter of fact some of them were shot right in my neighborhood along the corridor of Kananaskis country which is found in the foothills of the Rockies which is 50 miles south west of Calgary.
Alberta Rockies
City of Calgary with the Rockies in the background...some of the actors lived here for 3 months during the filming period
If a thing is worth doing it’s worth doing well
x
and best director Oscars this year. If history will repeat itself as Clint Eastwood did in the Unforgiven movie, which was also filmed along Calgary area in 1992.
If a thing is worth doing it’s worth doing well
You have a beautiful neighborhood!My dad spent time in Calgary and environs and thought it was one of the most beautiful places he'd ever been.
Not to sound like an Alberta tourism representative however, if you do get a chance come and visit us while you’re at it drop by at the Banff National Park. You can watch the wild life in its natural habitats free such as Grizzlies, Deers, and Mountain Goats so forth and so on along the area as they frequently visit the parks to welcome the tourists.BTW, Calgary is second only to Houston as the largest city in North America area wise.
Calgary's Lion gates in the winter
Banff National Park
If a thing is worth doing it’s worth doing well
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