Rated R for sexuality, nudity, language and some violence
Cast
Heath Ledger, Jake Gyllenhaal, Randy Quaid, Valerie Planche, David Trimble. Victor Reyes. Lachlan Mackintosh Michelle Williams, Larry Reese, Marty Antonini, Tom Carey, Dan McDougall, Don Bland, Steven Cree Molison, Anne Hathaway, Duval Lang, Dean Barrett, Hannah Stewart, Scott Michael Campbell, Mary Liboiron, Graham Beckel, Kade Philps, Steffen Cole Moser, Brooklyn Proulx, Keanna Dubé, James Baker, Pete Seadon, Sarah Hyslop, Jacey Kenny, Jerry Callaghan, Cayla Wolever, Cheyenne Hill, Jake Church, Ken Zilka, John Tench, Linda Cardellini, Anna Faris, David Harbour, Kate Mara, Will Martin, Gary Lauder, Christian Fraser, Cam Sutherland, Roberta Maxwell, Peter McRobbie
From Academy Award-winning filmmaker Ang Lee comes an epic American love story, based on the short story by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Annie Proulx and adapted for the screen by the team of Pulitzer Prize-winning author Larry McMurtry and Diana Ossana.
Set against the sweeping vistas of Wyoming and Texas, the film tells the story of two young men – a ranch-hand and a rodeo cowboy – who meet in the summer of 1963, and unexpectedly forge a lifelong connection, one whose complications, joys and tragedies provide a testament to the endurance and power of love.
Early one morning in Signal, Wyoming, Ennis del Mar (Heath Ledger) and Jack Twist (Jake Gyllenhaal) meet while lining up for employment with local rancher Joe Aguirre (Randy Quaid).
The world which Ennis and Jack have been born into is at once changing rapidly and yet scarcely evolving. Both young men seem certain of their set places in the heartland – obtaining steady work, marrying and raising a family – and yet hunger for something beyond what they can articulate.
When Aguirre dispatches them to work as sheepherders up on the majestic Brokeback Mountain, they gravitate towards camaraderie and then a deeper intimacy. At summer’s end, the two must come down from Brokeback and part ways.
Remaining in Wyoming, Ennis weds his sweetheart Alma (Michelle Williams), with whom he will have two daughters as he ekes out a living. Jack, in Texas, catches the eye of a rodeo queen Lureen Newsome (Anne Hathaway). Their courtship and marriage result in a son, as well as jobs in her father’s business.
Four years pass. One day, Alma brings Ennis a postcard from Jack, who is en route to visit Wyoming. Ennis waits expectantly for his friend, and when Jack at last arrives, in just one moment it is clear that the passage of time has only strengthened the men’s attachment. In the years that follow, Ennis and Jack struggle to keep their secret bond alive. They meet up several times annually. Even when they are apart, they face the eternal questions of fidelity, commitment and trust. Ultimately, the one constant in their lives is a force of nature – love.
Gay interest
Two cowboys fall in love with each other. But as it is in 1963 and them being cowboys they couldn't show their love to the rest of the world.
Personal review
I had heard a lot of things about this new movie of director Ang Lee. Everybody writes raving reviews. Possibly an Oscar winner. A gay-interest movie at that. My expectations were high to say the least. After much searching I found it on the internet because it hadn't come out in Holland yet. En finally tonight (in the wee little hours of the night) I saw Brokeback Mountain for the first time.
And I must say that it has met all my expectations. And more! This is absolutely a powerfull movie. It begins slow but gets under your skin. Deep in your soul. The emotions of the two men are buried deep and sometimes surface. But they burst out of the screen.
I have seen many movies. Certainly a lot of gay-interest movies. This movie is of very high quality. It is one of those movies you have to come back to earth from. You have to proces the emotions you just felt. You don't just watch Brokeback mountain. You feel it in your heart. That agony of Jack and Ennis. The deep love that gets down in the soul. Not allowed by society, certainly not in the sixties and seventies. But undeniable. And unexcapable.
This is acting on high level. This is directing and cinematography on high level. This is what film making is all about. This is what comes out of professionals with enough means who love their craft.
Brokeback Mountain is a classic already. As soon as it's on dvd I want it. I will see this story over and over again. Until every word and every character is in my heart and soul. Brokeback Mountain is in a word, heartbreaking. Everybody who loves movies should see this one. Gay or straight. This story is about love. Pure and simple, in all its depts and emotions.
Quotes
Jack Twist: It's nobody's business but ours.
Alma Beers Del Mar: You don't go up there to fish.
Jack Twist: [referring to Ennis] I wish I knew how to quit you.
Jack Twist: It could be like this - just like this - always.
Ennis Del Mar: If you can't fix it, you gotta stand it.
Joe Aguirre: You boys sure found a way to make the time pass up there.
Trivia & video's
Awards:
Academy Awards, USA: Oscar for Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published, Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Score, Best Achievement in Directing
BAFTA Awards: BAFTA Film Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role, Best Film, Best Screenplay - Adapted
Boston Society of Film Critics Awards: BSFC Award for Best Picture, Best Director
Broadcast Film Critics Association Awards: BFCA Award for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Supporting Actress
Central Ohio Film Critics: Central Ohio Film Critics Award for Actor of the Year, Best Lead Performance, Best Screenplay
Chicago Film Critics Association Awards: CFCA Award for Best Cinematography, Best Original Score
Dallas-Fort Worth Film Critics Association Awards: DFWFCA Award for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Cinematography
Directors Guild of America, USA: DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures
Florida Film Critics Circle Awards: FFCC Award for Best Film, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Cinematography
Golden Globes, USA: Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture - Drama, Best Original Song - Motion Picture, Best Director - Motion Picture, Best Screenplay - Motion Picture
Independent Spirit Awards: Independent Spirit Award for Best Director, Best Feature
London Critics Circle Film Awards: ALFS Award for Film of the Year, Director of the Year
Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards: LAFCA Award for Best Picture, Best Director
National Board of Review, USA: NBR Award for Best Supporting Actor, Best Director
New York Film Critics Circle Awards: NYFCC Award for Best Film, Best Actor, Best Director
Online Film Critics Society Awards: OFCS Award for Best Screenplay, Adapted, Best Original Score
PGA Golden Laurel Awards: Motion Picture Producer of the Year Award for Theatrical Motion Pictures
Phoenix Film Critics Society Awards: PFCS Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role, Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role, Best Screenplay Adapted From Another Medium, Best Cinematography, Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role
San Francisco Film Critics Circle: SFFCC Award for Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Director
Satellite Awards: Satellite Award for Outstanding Motion Picture, Drama, Outstanding Director, Outstanding Film Editing, Outstanding Original Song
Southeastern Film Critics Association Awards: SEFCA Award for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Adapted
Vancouver Film Critics Circle: VFCC Award for Best Film, Best Director
Venice Film Festival: Golden Lion
Writers Guild of America, USA: WGA Award (Screen) for Best Adapted Screenplay
Pictures
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