Brokeback Mountain
By Vikki Lusby, Blockbuster.co.uk

“You don't say much but you get your point across.”

This Oscar award winning movie directed by Ang Lee (Hulk) features Heath Ledger (The Bothers Grimm, Lords of Dogtown) and Jake Gyllenhaal (The Day After Tomorrow, Jarhead), with Randy Quaid (Independence Day, Home On The Range). Based on the short story by E. Annie Proulx.

It’s 1963 and Ennis Del Mar (Ledger) a hardworking cowboy who decides to take on herding work up on Brokeback Mountain for a few months. Joining him is Jack Twist (Gyllenhaal) a rodeo wannabe who is hard up on his luck. Together they look after a herd of sheep who have been taken to pasture up on the mountain. During the isolated months that follow Ennis and Jack start to forge a forbidden relationship that will last for the rest of their lives.

After the herding is over Ennis goes back to the small town that he came from to marry Alma (Michelle Williams) his sweetheart. Life is a little hum drum for the two and trying to make ends meet is a real struggle. They have two girls, who Ennis adores.

Jack still trying to get into the rodeo scene eventually meets Lureen (Ann Hathaway), a rodeo girl who is the daughter of a wealthy farm equipment dealer. The two hit it off and marry. They soon have a son Bobby, but it is obvious that Lureens father disapproves of the marriage.

4 years after they first met Ennis and Jack meet up again and find that the passion that they had back on Brokeback Mountain is still there. They rekindle their romance via “fishing trips” only being truly happy when they are in one another’s company.

The movie is a raw and moody look at forbidden love and a lifetime of lies. Ang’s direction can sometimes feel a little too moody, with no dialogue for large portions of the movie, but this is made up for by the stunning cinematography of the surroundings and the passionate and touching performances of the cast.