Were Those All Real Sheep??

Phew! I finally saw "Brokeback Mountain" - this year's odds-on favorite to win the Best Picture Oscar. An awful lot of hype preceded my trip to the theater this afternoon, and while I (gasp!) did not shed a tear at this universally acclaimed "weepie," I did find it to be an affecting story with first-rate performances from its two young stars. Plus, I was truly astounded at the sheer (excuse the pun) number of sheep extras which Ang Lee enlisted for this project. The aerial shots of the heard moving through the ravines and up the mountains were quite stunning, but I couldn't help but wonder if there wasn't some digital enhancement of their numbers. But on to the more serious dimensions of the film.

I have read and heard so much criticism of this film already that I guess I will start by piggy-backing on some of the things I have heard others say. First, I found that the film struck just the right note in terms of depicting the sexual/romantic dynamic between Jack and Ennis. People are complaining that there wasn't enough sex: is that just because the romantic leads are both men? Would similar criticism be levelled at a "straight" story of suppressed love? I don't think so. I thought the story was told in a way that conveyed the deep passion that these men felt for each other - both sexual and emotional - but that also depicted their struggles against their identity and their community.

Heath Ledger was quite phenomenal as the more overtly-conflicted Ennis. His rage and confusion and love of Jack combined to make him seem like a caged animal through most of the film. His performance has obviously been hyped to death, but it's quite deserved. This is the first time I have seen him on screen, and I was powerfully impressed. Think I'll be skipping "Cassanova," but I look forward to many great things from him.

I am a bit more familiar with Jake Gyllenhaal, and he continues to deliver the goods. He has such a great big, grin, and his expansive smile suited his dreaming, idealistic Jack. His character's tragic end was perhaps a bit predictable, but he was a wonderful foil for Ledger's tormented Ennis.

I don't think "Brokeback" is the best film I have seen this year, but it was beautifully filmed and touchingly brought to life by its two stars. I also think - or at least hope - that this film represents a turning point for Hollywood, and its willingness to depict gay life and love on screen. It may have been a bit contrived in its depiction of the tragic toll that homophobia can exact, but the sad fact is that Ennis meets roughly the same end as Matthew Shephard. The moral being, perhaps, that the line between fact and fiction can sometimes be thinner than we realize.