brokebackmountain

BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN
DVD Release date 4th April 2006

Click on any of the images in the left hand column to be taken to
the official website (its really quite good)

SYNOPSIS

Set against the extraordinary mountains of Wyoming, two ranch hands (Jake Gyllenhaal
and Heath Ledger) fall in love in the summer of 1963 in this monumental, iconic film.

REVIEW

An iconic film, Brokeback Mountain is like the best Bach concerto, every frame feels as if it
should follow the next, every performance is completely natural. Certainly a favourite for a
sweep on Oscar night, an event that might shake the USA to its toes. The first film
produced by a Hollywood studio to feature a gay romance that doesn't involve drag
queens, AIDS or bufoonery, Brokeback Mountain is an essential film that belongs in every
library.

Adapted faithfully from an Annie Proulx short story, screenwriters Larry McMurtry and Diana
Ossana have much to be proud of with their tale of two cowboys in love and how they deal
with it, or not. The story begins in 1963 where outside a sheep ranch trailer, Ennis del Mar
(Heath Ledger) eyes Jack Twist (Jake Gyllenhaal) and there's a spark. Both men agree to
go up to Brokeback Mountain with a herd of sheep. The plan is that the quiet, taciturn
Ennis will stay nights in the camp and the comparably outgoing Jack will sleep some
distance away with the sheep. On one cold, drunken night Ennis crawls into the tent with
Jack and they cuddle. One things leads to another and they have fierce, non-affectionate
sex with spit as lube. Jack says "It's no one's business but ours." Their relationship that
summer develops into one of mutual affection and fun. For lovers of male nudity, both men
are shown washing themselves and there are superb butt shots. Later on in the film, they
both dive naked off a cliff. Apparently the director has edited out any full frontal nudity.
When the summer ends, the young men are separated and the pain is palpable. In a
perfect world Jack and Ennis will leave together, set up a home and live happily ever after.
But not in Wyoming in 1963 -- cowboys don't fall in love. Ennis weeps in pain at their
separation, but life must go on. Ennis marries Alma (Michelle Williams) and they have two
little girls. Jack plays on the rodeo circuit for a few years until he settles down with Lureen.
But Brokeback Mountain is a refrain both men hear in their heads as their lives develop.
Jack sends Ennis a postcard that he's coming through town, can he stop by? Of course he
can. At Jack's arrival Ennis runs down the stairs and their kiss is so powerful, it's a force of
nature that can't be stopped. An affair held in secret, on fishing trips where no fish is
caught, these two men make love when and where they can.

Shot with spectacular vistas of the mountains, and on the banks of roaring streams,
Brokeback Mountain is one of the prettiest westerns ever made. Ang Lee has crafted
another genre film that intimately depicts human interaction as real as life itself. The
performances by all involved are career heights but special mention must be made for
Heath Ledger. Who knew this actor had these quiet reserves of strength? It's truly
extraordinary to see these powerful lovemaking scenes in a film financed by Universal
Studios. Depicting a homosexual relationship thwarted by society is a courageous act, all
involved are heroes in creating this work of enduring art.

Scott Cranin