 |
| Director: Ang Lee (2005) |
Upon first glance, I perceived Ang Lee’s 3
time Oscar winner Brokeback Mountain to be shameless awards bait. I mean, gay
cowboys who must conceal their love throughout their lives to avoid
hurting/offending their loved ones appeared, to me at least, as incredibly
cynical. After actually watching the film for the first time, I can safely say
I couldn’t have been more wrong with my short-sighted judgement; Brokeback
Mountain is one of the finest love stories ever committed to celluloid.
Opening in 1963, we’re silently introduced
to Jack Twist (Jake Gyllenhaal) and Ennis Del War (Heath Ledger) 2 ranch hands that
get work on the titular Brokeback Mountain during the summer. Ennis tends to
the camp and supplies while Jack vigilantly watches over a herd of sheep from
predators. Soon love blossoms between the 2, as excellently portrayed in a
rough and passionate love scene. While the feelings they harbour for each other
are ferocious, they both understand that society won’t accept their love, along
with Ennis’ impending marriage and the fact that they initially don’t consider
themselves “queer”. We follow the duo’s lives for 20 years as they try to
juggle their wives, families and the intense, perpetual feelings that they
share.
At its core, Brokeback Mountain works
because its centre is completely filled with intensity and genuine passion. As
time passes Jack and Ennis’ feelings grow in stature, first witnessed after the
summer of 1963 has finished and the 2 men go their separate ways. Ennis walks
into an alleyway, collapses to his knees and smashes his fist into the adjacent
wall, sobbing fiercely. There next encounter together results in a passionate
embrace upon first sight, much to the horror and anguish of Ennis’ wife Alma
(Michelle Williams). Such a fate doesn’t befall Jacks wife Lureen (Anne
Hathaway) a housewife who is rather career focused and emotionally cold, a
possible explanation for her husband’s constant lust for the embrace of another
human being. These four performances dominate the film thanks to a fantastic
script and sublime acting. While Gyllenhaal, Hathaway and Williams all steal
their fair share of scenes, its Ledger who comes out as top dog, his portrayal
of a man who is unsure of his feelings becomes more engrossing by the minute.
Passage of time does an incredible job of
showing the strength of their love. Excluding the opening scenes, Lee never
beats us over the head with abrasive title cards that declare the date, instead
choosing for a much more natural way of informing the viewer of the scenes
location in time. A calendar here or a banner at a dance there, there's
certainly trust in the audience to pay attention. To match this change in
times, the art direction and costumes are restlessly changing, a transition
that doesn't feel gimmicky thanks to the great work from many talented
characters behind the camera. Said brilliant work is matched with equally as
brilliant cinematography. Cinematographer Rodrigo Prieto captures every scene
perfectly, from the extreme long shots of Brokeback Mountain itself (actually
shot in the Rockies and not Wyoming) to each conversation and scene of intimate
passion. There is barely a shot out of place and while this isn’t the most
ambitious film visually, the script doesn’t call for such frivolous work.
Despite a couple of middling scenes during
the second act, Brokeback Mountain is a consistently engaging, emotional
portrayal of 2 men whose love is resented by society. Lee has crafted a truly
special film here, his talents shining through every frame. On reflection this
finely tuned effort melts into a beautiful, seamless whole, bound to leave a
strong lasting impression on anyone lucky enough to view it. Essential.
9
No comments:
Post a Comment