Brokeback Mountain

Set in the 1960's, in the southwest United States, two cowboys, well one cowboy and a rodeo rider meet and fall in love. Up in Brokeback Mountain the two start a physical relationship knowing that it was only for a short time. Once they come down off the mountain the relationship stops and they start separate lives. They both get married and start a family. They live in two different states and drift apart.

Four years later Jack Twist (Jake Gyllenhaal) sends a letter to Ennis Del Mar (Heath Ledger) asking if he wants to get together. Ennis sends an enthusiastic 'you bet' right back. The instant they see each other all the emotions from Brokeback slam right into them and they make the quickest dash to a motel for the night.

As the years go on they get together a few times a year for...fishing. Ennis' wife, Alma (Michelle Williams), is a bit suspicious considering he never brings back any fish, all of his equipment has never been used and, oh yeah, she saw them making out. She files for divorce and Jack is dancing in joy thinking they now can be together. He is denied by Ennis who knows they can never be together publicly.

He is proven correct when Jack is found out and is beaten to death. Ennis travels to Jack's childhood home, where it's obvious that Jack's parents know the nature of their relationship. Ennis finds an old shirt that he wore on Brokeback that Jack had kept along with Jack's shirt he wore that same day. Ennis leaves with the articles of clothing, keeping them with a picture of the mountain, hidden away in a wardrobe. 

I liked this movie a lot. It wasn't as sad as I thought it was going to be, though, and I was actually looking forward to a good cry. Damn. It was pretty hot watching Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal make out though. Although there wasn't a great deal of chemistry between Jack and Ennis. I think that a little bit important to the movie, don't ya think?

I loved the writing in this movie more than anything else. There were some excellent lines that just stuck with me.  " 'I wish I knew how to quit you.' 'Well, why don't you? Why don't you just let me be? It's because of you that I'm like this! I ain't got nothing! I ain't nowhere... I can't stand being like this no more Jack.' " ... makes me shiver.

I just have to say something though...Ennis? Couldn't we think of a better name? I don't think there's a word in the English language closer to both anus and penis. I wonder if it was done on purpose.

Grade: 8.5 /10