Two men develop a secret and forbidden romance
that threatens to change everything in their lives. DRAMA
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Brokeback Mountain (2005)Directed by Ang Lee
Written by Larry McMurtry and Diana Ossana Starring Heath Ledger, Jake Gyllenhaal, Michelle Williams, Anne Hathaway, Randy Quaid, David Harbour, Anna Faris Based on the short story by Annie Proulx Oscar Wins - Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Original Score (Gustavo Santaolalla) Oscar Nominations - Best Picture, Best Actor (Heath Ledger), Best Supporting Actor (Jake Gyllenhaal), Best Supporting Actress (Michelle Williams), Best Cinematography |
Few films I've seen are as moving or emotionally raw as Brokeback Mountain, a film that redefines what it means to truly love someone. As I write this, having just finished watching the film for the first time, I'm wiping the tears from my eyes. Brokeback Mountain is an absolute masterpiece and the film that Ang Lee will be remembered for. Led by flawless performances from Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal, this film will forever be known as one of the true Best Pictures that was robbed by a lesser film, in this case Crash.
Ledger and Gyllenhaal are Ennis Del Mar and Jack Twist, two ranch workers who find work herding sheep up on Brokeback Mountain. A friendship blossoms, and then it evolves into something deeper. As they struggle to come to terms with their forbidden romance, at a time where to be openly gay meant you were ostracized by the community and marked for death, they move on with their lives separately, get married, and have families. But every few months or so, they reunite on Brokeback Mountain for a passionate getaway. But life gets in the way, and soon they must decide if they follow their hearts or keep their families together. It's a tearjerker in the truest sense, and the chemistry between the two leads is incomparable. Brokeback Mountain has been on my list for years, and I am so glad I finally took the plunge. Everything about this film is beautiful and heartbreaking, from Gustavo Santaolalla's subtle but powerful score to the imagery evoking loneliness and isolation deep in the mountains. This is one of those films that everybody should watch at some point. It's an important lesson in how to write a real love story with real characters, and the Academy should forever be ashamed for not honoring it properly. |
In my humble opinion, Brokeback Mountain being beat by Crash for Best Picture is the biggest snub in Oscar history. Ang Lee directs this beautiful film, adding to his already impressive resume. We have a beloved, fallen actor, Heath Ledger, and an all time fan favorite with Jake Gyllenhaal in this perfectly showcased story about two males tussling with their emotions.
Ledger and Gyllenhaal kick off this account of two 1960’s cowboy with slow dialogue and incredible facial expressions. It’s a slow romantic burn that allows the audience to just understand relationships, regardless of the two parties involved. The chemistry between these two is impeccable and worth a watch if you enjoy two actors performing at an extremely high level. This is an instant classic that will last forever, as it deals with important social realizations and what it means to be honest with those whom we love. The two cowboys are assigned a herding job together and they find a connection while they are alone on the mountain. When the audience is brought back to reality, introducing Alma (Michelle Williams) and Lureen (Anne Hathaway), their worlds collide when they visit a good while after their transformative experience on the mountain. Heath and Jake turn it into overdrive as this film takes course, stirring our hearts, hoping for happiness between the two. The final act delivers some of the most gut wrenching scenes we have ever seen strung together. It relies on the actors to portray these heavy, thought provoking experiences in a manner that is relatable and respectable. This is an absolute must see, and that’s not just an opinion. |