True Love Should Have No Boundaries. Review on Brokeback Mountain Movie

The love story of the year is Brokeback Mountain (and in my opinion for many years beyond today). Despite what I have heard on this film and my own preconceived notions, I was gravely mistaken what this story is about. This is not a story about two gay cowboys. It is the story of two people who come from similar impoverished, ignorant families and turmoil, two people who are confined by their own borders and about two people who are secretly desperate for each other. A love story like non other…

Ennis (Heath Ledger) and Jack (Jake Gyllenhaal) meet on a ranching job, more specifically on Brokeback Mountain where they are hired to watch the herd of sheep. Ennis is a seemingly tough cowboy and a “man of few words.” With deep and dreamy chocolate eyes, more brown than I have ever seen and really show his great complexity and depth. Jack is the blue eyed, more boisterous of the two. Such intense features truly personified the depth of their unspoken words. Even as they age and live through their struggles, their eyes change hue.

One very cold night, Ennis and Jack find themselves in the tent, huddled close together to keep warm. Jack makes the move towards Ennis and the two are in a very physical and passionate “tete a tete.” I was very taken aback by the scene, not sure what to expect but I knew it was coming. What transpired on the screen was a very uncomfortable experience, both for the viewer and for the two men engaged.

The following morning, Ennis tells Jack that it was a “one time thing and between the two of them”. Judging from Jack’s expression, he does not think so or does not want to believe so. Ennis later shares with Jack the story about “these two old guys ranched up together, down home. Earl and Rich. They were pretty tough ol' birds. Anyway they... they found Earl dead in an irrigation ditch. Took a tire iron to 'im. Spurred him up, drug him 'round by his dick 'till it pulled off.” Ennis was, as a young child, conditioned to not accept homosexuality. Because of this haunting graphic vision of that experience, Ennis is very adamant that he not acquiesce to his feelings toward Jack.

He does a fine job living the straight life, marries Alma, has two daughters and lives the life he believes he was meant to live. Until one day, he gets a postcard from Jack who wants to meet up. Ennis responds, “You bet.” When Jack shows up on Ennis’ doorstep, the two embrace, passionately. At this moment we know that there is something much deeper than just a romp in the tent on Brokeback Mountain…. And so does Ennis’ wife. Although grief-stricken, she does not divulge at that time that she is aware of the relationship that Ennis and Jack share.

What was a surprise to me and the reason that I say that this film is not of two gay cowboys is that this is entirely a bitter and conflicted relationship between two human beings. I realized this at the end of the film and reflecting back. I truly believe that Ennis is not gay! He is in love with another human being. He never once spent time with another man and I don’t believe it was because he was trying to deny sexuality. I truly believe that he just loved Jack. Is there a difference-yes! The difference is the direction that the movie goes and how the viewer reacts to it.

Jack, on the other hand, was not only in love with Ennis, but was, indeed, homosexual. He always preferred Ennis and would have given his life for him (and even said so), but he was gay and in a sort of denial by marrying Lureen, who he thought he should be with, not true to his life’s desire.

The other character in the film is Brokeback Mountain herself. Set in the mountains of Wyoming, the sweeping vista mountaintops and valleys are breathtaking. Seen on the big screen is really dramatic and provides a sense of “being there”. You can almost feel the cold air brush your cheek and the green grass and knolls just slightly beyond your reach. Ironically the beauty that Brokeback Mountain provides is also bitter. It is no mistake that Ennis and Jack find themselves at Brokeback Mountain and return regularly through the years.

My final thought is that Heath Ledger is one of the best actors of our time. He shows such great depth in his beautiful face and never has to say a word to express himself. Being an Aussie has not stopped him from presenting a great drawl. I truly believed that he was Ennis Del Mar from the back skirts of the country was just that…and More! Likewise, Jake Gyllenhaal is outstanding as Jack Twist and is a fine candidate for Best Supporting Actor. But it is Heath that really deserves the academy award that Halle Berry and Charliz Theron also achieved for similar performances.

Also noteworthy of Oscar Nomination are Ang Lee, Director and the team that put the film together logistically. The cinematographers, sounds, editing, etc. This movie is no doubt a five star film, regardless of what you believe about two male cowboys falling in love!