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Vol. I
No. 9 Brokeback Mountain Stands Tall The Rumpled Critic
The only viewing of this film in Northern Humboldt County when I reviewed it was in a small counter-culture theatre located in the college town of Arcata, a place known for encouraging alternative art. When my lady friends and I entered the theatre we moved down towards the front only to be invaded by a gaggle of dime store perfume addicts. After a couple of whiffs of eau de cigarette parfume and the high shrill gossipy cell phone addicted screeches we decided to retreat to the rear. As I looked around me suddenly I was surrounded by older women sitting in the back rows and I thought out loud “Am I watching a chick flick?” Apparently so, for I was one of four men in the whole theatre. Brokeback Mountain is like looking at a series of Winchester paintings in motion. The landscapes have a wide girth of colors and dramatic lighting accentuating the beauties of nature with the knowledge of photography. The in town scenes accurately portray the ‘70s with the music and earth tones that set the stage for a growing country in a backward town or in a timeless America. Without giving away too much of the plot I will say that the white American cowboy can never be the same. In this world of old fashioned standards and fear of the different a secretive relationship between two men is unheard of. This film deals with the very nature of fear of the unknown which plagues most American’s whether they want to admit it or not. The nature shots of Wyoming were breathtaking and humbling. The feeling I got from the landscapes put me in awe of these enormous clouds set as a backdrop for a landscape of hard angular purple and gray mountains. The two main characters work in a valley keeping sheep separated from other flocks and keeping down the predation. There are many on location filming that give a sense of believability and genuineness to the hard work and sufferings involved in living out on the range. Many stunts and riding were used displaying an Americana of horse lovers. The rodeo scenes made you feel like you were being shot out of that shoot with the bull underneath you. I tip my hat off to the cameraman for putting up with all that motion. Now to the characters: Heath Ledger (The Patriot, A Knight’s Tale) plays Ennis Del Mar, a complicated traditional man from small and often painful beginnings. He is in the most denial of what his essence is and confused along the journey. He is engaged to a young woman and plans to settle down into the traditional American dream. He takes on this covert job for Randy Quaid’s Joe Aguirre, a monster of a mountain man who disregards any endangered species law. Enter Jack Twist played by Jake Gyllenhaal (Donnie Darko, Jarhead) who is a self assured boisterous rodeo clown with big dreams. Together they take on the duty of watching Joe’s flock but winter sets upon the icy mountain and the warmth of two humans supercedes any social barriers. Eventually a friendship blooms and the loneliness wins over bringing these two men closer than they could have ever imagined. Eventually the job ends and the two go their separate ways keeping it a secret. Ennis moves to Texas and settles down with his wife Alma, played by Michelle Williams to a arid off the road ranch job. Alma would prefer to live in town and be closer to society whereas Ennis thinks that country living is the life for him. Then one day a post card from Jack appears and that missing piece fits right back into place in the puzzle of Ennis‘ life. They go on frequent fishing trips and Jack even gets engaged to a debutante tractor queen named Lureen Newsome played by Anne Hathaway. She is the epitome of a career driven individual who is willing to sacrifice personal fulfillment for monetary achievements. This cold fish approach on life doesn’t set well with Jack and he explores other forms of fulfillment. Frequent trips to Mexico and fewer trips with Ennis takes it’s toll on him and eventually the two confront one another. Like any love affair there are risks but when society makes it a taboo the risks become higher and less workable. This film analyzed a part of ourselves that we all are very uncomfortable with and treated homosexuality in a true minority sense. I almost felt like I was watching Romeo and Juliet as the characters unfolded and displayed a true sense of emotions and fears with being ones self and being different simultaneously. I think this movie would be better received in Europe where the minds are more open to a different type of love story than the right wing hetero stereotype. Even though in the heart of Marlboro country the movie was banned and there were limited screenings the art was still displayed. I congratulate Ang Lee for taking such a risk with such a bold statement. Grade: A+ |
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Copyright © 2005-06, Humboldt Sentinel. All rights reserved. |
When
I first saw the previews of Ang Lee’s Brokeback Mountain,
my eyebrow raised, but I wasn’t really drawn in enough to actually
plan on viewing it. But I did notice an audible gasp from the very small
audience when the plot was revealed in the trailer. For a mainstream movie
this seemed to be going where no man has gone before and I’m not
sure the audience was prepared to take that leap. Being persuaded by a
younger friend I took the Nestea plunge and paid my admission. 