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Not often are homosexual relationships portrayed honestly in film. On one hand you have the director who wants to shove it in your face; on the other hand you have the director who wants to avoid any physical interaction so as not to offend his audience. Then there is Ang Lee. In his film "Brokeback Mountain," Ang Lee remembers that gay or straight, a relationship is a relationship. This quiet love story is about two cowboys who fall for each other while working a job on Brokeback Mountain. A technical artwork mixed with a professional cast makes this a movie to be remembered.
Jake Gyllenhaal plays "Jack," the cowboy who just wants to be free to love and not to have it hidden away from the world. Gyllenhaal executes this well enough with an ease that suits his part perfectly. The stronger of the two actors, Heath Ledger plays "Ennis," another cowboy who wishes to hide his love life from the world to protect it. Ledger created such a powerful character based on strength and inner vulnerability that you forget the actor and remember the part. It made him one to be beat at the Oscar races. What makes the film so honest is the natural chemistry between Gyllenhall and Ledger. Michelle Williams was also featured in this film as "Amis," who discovers her husband "Ennis'" secret love life early on. Williams brings to the film emotional complexity from the outside environments, with a strong vulnerability that displays the yearning that's to never be satisfied.
Ang Lee directs "Brokeback" with a fluidity and grace that makes the audience care and helps them understand the characters better. It is the difference between a great love story and a love story that falls flat. That coupled with the stunning cinematography makes "Brokeback" a story of beauty. The imposing landscapes help the audience understand the majesty and simplicity of the small moments in life while letting our souls fly with the creativity. Sound also had a huge impact on this picture. Most of the movie just uses the sounds of the wilderness to highlight and focus on the intensity of the scene. Then there are orchestrated moments perfectly planned to make us feel the emotions intensely.
This film should remind all of us to treasure what we love. Never let fear get in the way. When "Ennis" lets his fear get a hold of him, he misses out on all the time he could have spent with his lover. The point is not to regret the time not spent, but to appreciate the times well spent. This movie is also about change and how people inspire it in us. "Ennis" has changed into a more open and receiving individual because he met "Jake." "Jake" just taught him through example. Everyone affects us in different ways, but only a few change us.
"Brokeback Mountain" is a revolutionary film. It changes the audience's perception, not through words, but through compassion. Ang Lee gives us a chance to see the life in human nature and not the other way around. Some people will still call this movie that "gay cowboy film," but anyone who has seen this movie calls it one of the best love stories of our time.
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