Trigger Warnings: Death, Homophobic slurs, Hate crime (violence)
Okay, let’s get straight into it with this heartrenching and beautiful film shall we? First of all, be prepared to cry for days after in bed (especially as Heath Ledger is in it RIP). Secondly, this is a very important LGBT+ masterpiece and the actors really had you believing that they are deeply in love with each other, which can be rare in cinema.
The landscape in some scenes are picturesque but they have nothing on the characters’ unforgettable connection. Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal have very powerful screen presence, especially when they are sharing a soft touch or passionate love making (wow yeah that bit in the movie is choreographed well by Mister Lee and is pretty steamy).
It is historically accurate and the actresses that play the gentlemans’ wives are complex but strong characters. Anne Hathaway and Michelle Williams give very emotional performances, you really feel their inner turmoils. However, there are some parts of the film where you find yourself questioning their motives and how they could be so insensitive. A sad but interesting fact about Brokeback Mountain is that Michelle Williams (who plays Ennis’s wife) and Heath Ledger were actually together in real life.
This is a film that everyone should see at least once in their lives, even if it is just to educated bigoted family members or friends on homosexuality and its importance in our society. Once, a family friend was being very homophobic, saying that if his unborn son was to be gay he would be extremely disappointed and sickened. In reaction to his bigotry me and his girlfriend tricked him into watching Brokeback Mountain saying it was a “western”, to which he was very angry and stormed off.
The point I am trying to make is that this film was a right of passage for me and should be for everyone else, at least to open minds and reiterate that #loveislove.
My Favourite Character: Jack and Ennis. Yes I picked two its my blog.
How old I was when I watched it: Around thirteen. Cried like a baby.
My favourite scene: The end scene, I will not give it away.
Ranking of Favourite Film: Hmm, tough. Probably number 5.
What this film taught me: That gay male relationships are just as tender and loving as any other relationship. This surprised me as a thirteen year old because I had my preconceptions of what being gay meant and the stereotypes that come with it.
If you need to cry a lot or want your heart broken then this is the film for you, it is also a cinematic masterpiece.
A Queer Film Buff 