Brokeback Mountain

First things first - as far as compelling titles go, I'm not much of a talent (see above)!

But, for some reason, this movie has generated a funny feeling in me. As a gay twenty-something, I think it's got something to do with the sheer frustration and pain experienced by Jack and Ennis. The emotions of struggle and pain this movie evoked for me, and the fact I cannot reconcile that with my own gay experience, probably also has something to do with it. It's ridiculous that I should feel that frustration and ache ought to be part of my existence as a homosexual (among other things. And mind you, I'm not saying there's been none of these emotions, just less than in the movie)! I did identify with much of the film, particularly Ennis' palpably gut wrenching, anguished separation from Jack after the first summer of their relationship. Emotions aside, as a certifiably unqualified film critic, I found the cinematography gratifying and, aside from a short period, the storyline compelling. I will certainly be seeking to see some other Ang Lee titles soon.

In search of some validation of my thoughts, I searched out some reviews of the film and randomly stumbled across
this one, with which I (almost) whole-heartedly disagree. Read it and see what you think.

The reviewer (Westhoff) suggests Jack is 'wantonly selfish' for wanting to buy a ranch with Ennis so they could live (and work) together, while presumably maintaining a believable subterfuge for their closeness. In light of Westhoff's profound (no, not really) observation that homophobic mobs would likely lynch the occupants of an openly gay relationship, to call Jack's desire for a facade capable of maintaining their obvious love a selfish one is derisory. Westhoff's assertion that barely a seat would be filled in cinemas showing Brokeback were it not for the only (and utterly non-explicit) sex scene between Jack and Ennis is also unfounded. Would he agree that Titanic would have bombed but for the famous 'hand on the steamy window' scene? Unlikely. Finally, the reviewer degrades the magnitude of the characters' self-discovery and consumption with each other by criticising their irresponsibility in safeguarding their flock (of sheep). C'mon, enough already with the negative undertones about the morals and ethics of gays - it's not as if no straight characters have left their post to get drunk and seek out sexual gratification. Their disregard, in a part of the film that otherwise highlighted Ennis and Jack's commitment to their jobs, merely demonstrated the depth of their feelings for each other. In other ways, the two men cause untold suffering; however, to criticise the 'deserting their post' sub-plot, to me, shows Westhoff's (and maybe Lee's?) underlying feelings about gays.