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Volume 71, Issue 68,
Tuesday, December 6, 2005
Life & Arts Prejudices don't hold up in 'Mountain' Compelling love story will force
audiences to put beliefs aside,
By Darrel A. Holnes
There are some stories that deserve to be told once, and others time and time again. The strongest stories are those that capture the minds and the hearts of their audiences. It seems that the best films of years past have arguably been genuine American stories such as Ray. One of this year's best films is Brokeback Mountain. This beautifully told American tale is not your typical story of passion and dreams.
Jake Gyllenhaal, right, and Heath Ledger bring to life Annie Proulx's touching story about the taboo relationship of two men in Wyoming in Brokeback Mountain. Photo courtesy of Focus
Features
The film, based on a short story of the same name by Annie Proulx, is a strong, compelling tale of two cowboys, Ennis Del Mar and Jack Twist, in the Wyoming high lands, struggling against time and circumstance to be together. The film is picturesque, featuring extremely beautiful shots of the midwestern woodland frontier and ranch sunsets. One cannot help but be drawn into the story and reminisce on past loves and relationships. The emotion carried through the film is powerful. Director Ang Lee does an excellent job of demonstrating the love between the two men without making the film about homosexuality or the place such a lifestyle has in the setting. These issues are not ignored but are simply not the main focus of the film. This is not a political or social film, but rather an honest romance. Audiences meet the characters and are invited to become their friends as the film slowly picks up its pace and welcomes moviegoers into Brokeback Mountain and the Brokeback mentality. The setting doesn't obviously influence the plot, however the situations -- because of the setting -- implicitly influence the decisions of the characters. This fact, combined with how the mountains bring them together, gives the setting such importance that it almost becomes a character in the film. The film is far from a gay version of the typical American love story. Rather, it's the exploration of two strong, distinct characters brought together by their employment situation, drawn together by circumstance and dispelled by the taboo of their love. One can easily identify with or relate to either character despite sexual orientation, religion or political views. The performances from both protagonists are compelling but from different ends. Heath Ledger perfectly brings to life Ennis Del Mar, a quiet, masculine, but lonely cowboy from the Midwest, but it was Jake Gyllenhaal's performance as Jack Twist, the sentimental rodeo rider who really steals the heart of the viewer. It is mostly through Twist's eyes that audiences understand the depth and sincerity of the relationship between the two cowboys. The movie is moving, so much so that one leaves the theater feeling vulnerable and touched. The film appeals to audiences of all ages. After viewing this film moviegoers will not necessarily empathize or even sympathize, but will undoubtedly better understand this type of taboo relationship. Ultimately, Lee tells a passionate tale of dreams and intrepid destiny which clash with reality, resulting in a very entertaining and captivating drama. He tells an American tale -- one that should certainly be told more often, and could one day become a classic. Brokeback Mountain Rated: R for sexuality, nudity, language and some
violence
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