Movie review: Brokeback Mountain

I think I'm one of the few people (who doesn't care about the movie's content) who hasn't seen this movie. Well, that's now been rectified..

BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN

Astounding. Heartbreaking.

Such a myriad of emotions flitted through my mind after seeing the movie. First, Jake Gyllenhaal, Michelle Williams, Anne Hathaway - amazing performances.  And then, there's Heath Ledger who was just in a class of his own. Every time I see a movie Heath was in (I never tire of A Knight's Tale & 10 Things I Hate About You no matter how many times I've seen it) I just want to cry.. Such talent. Such unbelievable talent gone too soon..

Against such a beautiful backdrop, we were brought to see the underlying truth this movie was trying to make: LOVE HAPPENS. You can deny it, you can fight it, you can hide it, you can do whatever you want to do to pretend that it doesn't exist, but when it hits you, brace yourself.

When the movie started, it made me ask if the guys knew they were gay or knew that there were homosexual tendencies. Except for Jack (Jake Gyllenhaal) who seemed to manifest it unconsciously, I don't think both were aware. There wasn't any immediate attraction (aside from Jack checking Ennis (Heath Ledger) out, but maybe it was just out of curiosity for the other guy who wanted the same job that he hopes he'd get). You don't see one of them trying to catch the other guy's eye. I think it was more that the circumstances that brought them together made them yearn for an intimacy that they never would have considered under a different setting.

I'm not saying they didn't have a choice or that because they were in a secluded place that they both decided, what the hell, let's do it.. No, it wasn't like that at all. It just happened and it happened unexpectedly. There was a connection, plain and simple. Two people who didn't know they had that level of connection just suddenly realizes the relationship is more than just physical, it goes beyond that, but it's not something that they can explain even to themselves. It's something you can't really understand unless it's something you've experienced yourself. It made things all the more difficult because they were two young men (gorgeous ones, if I may add, haha) who lived at a time where relationships such as what they have are not just frowned upon, it actually gets you killed (truth be told, it's 2011 now and in some places coming out still gets you beaten up).

The fantastic views helped provide a sense of stillness, as if time stops when Jack & Ennis are together. You appreciate it's beauty but you're made more aware of the feeling of seclusion. It's like you can't share the beauty of the place with others because it's not for everybody else. The spectacular landscape parallels the relationship of the characters. Theirs is a deep, beautiful and meaningful relationship, much like the views on the film, but it can't be shared because to share it would be to cause its ruin.

The movie might have been slightly more focused on Ennis but Jack is more than just the 'love interest'. He's the guy who dares to dream and hope. He's the guy who's willing to throw it all away for the love of his life. "I wish I knew how to quit you" was definitely something he'd say and it was so fitting. The flashback between his young, hopeful face and then back to his crestfallen, worn countenance shows all that he's struggled with, all the battle he's fought and lost in his relationship with Ennis. He's tried to find solace with other guys but he knows it can't be anybody else except Ennis.

Heath was so believable in his portrayal of Ennis - his struggle, his inner conflict, his desire and his fears. All those emotions you can see play on his face all at once and you just can't help but be drawn into his story. I can't fault all the choices he's made. But my heart broke because all I can do is watch him at the sidelines and hope that he will find the answers that's right for him and that he'll learn to live with them.

We're not told if Lureen knew the truth but we saw how Alma had to struggle against what she witnessed an again, the play of emotions on her face just makes you understand what were going through in her mind without her saying anything. Like I said, I can't fault Ennis with the choices he's made, but I can't help but feel for Alma as well. Sure some people would say that if only Ennis had been honest enough to admit it to her, but things are never as easy as that. Michelle Williams was spot on in her portrayal of Alma and if I can't fault Ennis with his actions, I can't fault Alma with hers either.

Long after the screen has gone blank, I was still staring at the TV. Haunted. This movie hit a bit closer to home and I'm glad that a movie with this story was told. It also made me feel sad because we'd no longer see Heath on screen delivering such complex performances. You're missed Heath Ledger. You're sorely missed.

All in all, it's a great movie & I'm glad I saw it. Til then!