Yet another unofficial review of “Brokeback Mountain”
I’m trying to get ready for my trip to Chicago tomorrow, so I’m limiting myself to five minutes on this, but I wanted to state publicly:
This movie is crushingly beautiful.
I’ve read here and there (no links, no time) mini-reviews that suggested that the movie was, without the gay/bi element, basically weak.
To that, I have to wonder: were we watching the same movie? Because first of all, I don’t think it’s even relevant to consider what the movie would be without the gay/bi element — it’s a primary part of the story.
On the other hand, this is a classic tale of the obstacles faced by true love, and of fear getting in the way of happiness. This story has been filmed many, many times in many, many ways with varying degrees of drama and emotional fallout. This just happens to be one that is very compelling and extremely effective at making the viewer feel the heart-wrenching dilemma of its central characters.
And those characters happen to be gay/bi cowboys.
It was a beautiful film. Ang Lee deserves heaps of awards, Heath Ledger deserves heaps of awards, Rodrigo Prieto deserves heaps of awards, et cetera et cetera.
And that’s my five-minute mini-review. Down the hatch.
8 Responses to “Yet another unofficial review of “Brokeback Mountain””
Posted: Feb 16th, 2006 at 6:33 pm
So, people are saying that if the story was about a man and a woman on Brokeback, it’d be a weak movie? Wow. That’d be an entirely *different* movie, so how could you even argue that?
I’ve seen some people comment on how the movie is touted the “gay cowboy movie” rather than the “bi cowboy movie”.
Heath Ledger was phenominal. In fact, I was concerned that Heath Ledger in this role would break the movie. I was never so wrong in my life.
Posted: Feb 17th, 2006 at 1:31 am
I’m curious to see it. All (and I do mean ALL) of my gay friends said it’s slow and not all that interesting. They liked the movie “okay,” but said to just wait for the DVD release. All said that the scenery was lovely, but about the plot they said, “eh.” Not moved at all, they said.
So now I’m wondering, do I forgo my household chores this weekend and go see it? I’m expecting to be bored, so I’ll likely end up loving it. Or not. Who knows.
Posted: Feb 17th, 2006 at 1:42 am
I saw it & thought pretty much exactly what you just said.
Posted: Feb 17th, 2006 at 11:48 am
Yeah, gay or bi, who can say? Whatever. They were queer.
Yeah, I was impressed with all the acting, but Heath Ledger was impressive in such an understated way.
Posted: Feb 17th, 2006 at 11:52 am
That makes me wonder about the other kinds of films that your friends enjoy. I didn’t find it slow at all, but I’m quite patient about stories that are character-driven and moody, and not everyone is as patient. So that’s my warning to you: if you tend to be bored by films where the subtlety of personal interactions takes precedence over dynamic story line, this probably won’t be an exciting film for you.
I’ll be curious to hear your take.
Posted: Feb 17th, 2006 at 11:53 am
Huh. Cool.
Posted: Feb 17th, 2006 at 3:15 pm
but I’m quite patient about stories that are character-driven and moody
As am I. That’s normally my preferred type of movie. I’ll be sure and post my review after I see it.
Posted: Feb 17th, 2006 at 7:54 pm
Me too. In fact, I kinda made a variation on this post.
-J