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Brokeback Mounta |
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I went into this film pretty high. I had read the short story a while back and knew its subtleties. I had got the gift of an amazing director in Ang Lee (and one of my favorites for other films like Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and The Ice Storm). I had heard of the casting of Health Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal and was impressed. So when I left this theatre feeling strangely unmoved by the film, I really had to put my finger around why the film didn't work for me. |
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I think the place I have to start with is the script. The first half of the film where we are introduced to these two men who meet herding sheep on the mountain was so subtle and enjoyable, humourous at moments and touching in others. It was almost disappointing when they had to return to their worlds where life was rather barren and never had an joy again. That's where I was pretty much left. The movie went into soap opera land at that point and never came back for me |
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This may have been the major drawback, the feel of the film. While it was believable, there was this underlying feeling of safety held by all. They wanted it to be dynamic and some scenes worked, but it felt so much that the importance for each character was in the sex of their trips. I didn't feel the sense of love between them (a better example was the I'll Cover You scene from Rent where it was almost unassumingly beautiful) and this emphasis felt more about talking about than actually feeling the emotions. I liked the actors, but I'm not sure I was sympathetic to them. I was actually more moved by Michelle William's performance because you really felt her pain. It made me feel similar thoughts to when I watched Making Love a number of years earlier where the situation was almost identical that while the male characters are the focus, the female ends up the most cared abou |
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There were some good things going on to, especially the music and the cinematography. Very majestic and not overdone, the film looked good. I can also say that my audience (as if I could take ownership for them) did not work for me with this film (much like my first viewing of Rent), so I will take this film in again to help clarify some thoughts. What I can say is this: it is good that mainstream films are taking up these characters and situations. They do make statements. Now it may be time to make new ones instead of those made 25 years earlier in far more conservative times. Brokeback Mountain will be remembered for the chances it took, but it may be remembered more for the press more than any accomplishment. |
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