110) Brokeback Mountain
Director: Ang Lee
Year: 2005
Plot Summary: In 1963,two young men hire on as ranch hands in the Wyoming mountains.During the long months of isolation,an unusual bond starts to develop between them, one which they are only vaguely aware of--until one night when it rises to the surface in a passionate encounter.When the season ends,they part ways,only to realize the true depth of their feelings.Thus begins a decades-long affair that the two of them desperately try to hide from those around them
Looking back on Brokeback Mountain, there's very few aspects about the movie that I would describe as anything other than perfection.The opening act of the movie is set entirely on Brokeback Mountain as two strangers, one a rodeo cowboy and the other a ranch-hand, spend their summer herding sheep. The entire 30 minute sequence is one of the most honest and realistic representations of two people forming a romantic connection that I've ever seen in cinema. Instead of the usual grand romantic gestures of Hollywood movies, the opening of the movie is made up of subtle moments that silently indicate both men are falling for each other. Moreover, the silence of the sequence helps to enforce the idea that this has to be a secret relationship and that both men are trying to repress their true feelings for one another.
However, it's what follows this opening act that makes Brokeback Mountain such an amazing movie as we watch the two men grow up over 20 years, both still in love with each other but unable to act on it because of the homophobia that exists in the time. The way it effects their lives and how the weight of this secret strains both protagonists makes Ang Lee's movie one of the most heartbreaking romance stories that has ever graced the silver screen.
The two lead performances in Brokeback Mountain from Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal are absolutely incredible. Ledger in particular gives what I believe is one of the best performances of the entire decade here as the shy, fragile cowboy who's afraid of letting his true emotions shine for fear of the consequences. The scene in which he breaks down in front of Jack will stop your heart it's so raw and so moving. However, the always brilliant Michelle Williams should not be overlooked either for, as small as her part is, she knocks it right out of the park.
How this didn't win the Oscar for Best Picture in 2005 constantly shocks me for this is one of the most amazing stories that American cinema has produced in the last ten years and will surely go on to be a classic piece of cinema with age.
5/5
2 comments:
This film isn't about being homosexual (they're bi at least anyway). This film is about the inability to recreate a perfect moment. And it's heart achingly beautiful. Masterpiece in every way, so richly layered, I love it.
List worthy? It'd definitely make my top 70.
I think the fact that they're homosexual is crucial to the story though. Not that I disagree with you, but I'd say the fact that they can't recreate that perfect moment is because of their sexuality. Either way... If I were to up the list to 80 films it'd certainly be in the 70 -75 mark. :)
Post a Comment