A sensitive and beautifully
acted emotional epic.
Sadly lowered from greatness
by a selection of notable flaws.
Brokeback mountain is often regarded as one of the most important films released in the last decade in terms of it's social relevance and impact. It is also often cited as a prime a example of the incompetence of the Academy, namely the fact that this film did not win best picture over Crash (A film which I despise), a far weaker and less significant picture. In hindsight, it is undoubtable that the Academy made an error. Crash is a pathetic and empty film with nothing of relevance to say, whilst Brokeback is a fairly wonderful film with some astonishing elements. Not perfect, but still very good and would have made a worthy best picture in 2005.
The film is largely centered around it's two primary performances from Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal. They are both truly fantastic in portraying two passionately in love men, with deep and relatable doubts and worries concerning their sexuality. Gyllenhaal is far more expressive and active in his performance, showing greater confidence with his sexuality and is far more active in keeping the secretive relationship alive. However possibly even better is Ledger's highly reserved and introspective performance, showing a greater fear of reprisal and shows less certainty as to what he wants with his life. These lead performances are truly outstanding and deserve all the praise they receive. Michelle Williams is also fantastic in the film's most notable supporting role, earning audience sympathy and perfectly engrossing the audience. She actually deserves more praise, for I rarely hear this aspect of the film being highly praised.
The film is also absolutely stunning in terms of visuals. The luscious shots of the mountainous landscape and the sheer scale of every single frame is honestly breathtaking. Shots such as Gyllenhaal staring into the gorgeous and liminal forest while contemplating his deteriorating relationship, or the two herding sheep after their first night together, belong on a wall. The film is genuinely one of the best shot films of the last decade and is a milestone in dramatic storytelling assisted by breathtaking scenery.
Most importantly however is how the film deals with it's socially volatile subject material. Although I am hardly an expert on the subject, the portrayal of homosexuality seemed to very legitimate and portrayed the emotions of confusion and angst over the couples forced repression beautifully. The weight and consequences of the situation were well displayed and I was hugely satisfied by this film's portrayal of the issue.
However despite these high praises, the film is held back from true greatness in my eyes by some heavy flaws. Firstly, Anne Hathaway's character seemed to have been totally wasted. Unlike Michelle Williams, who plays the wife of Ledger's character, we see very little of the relationship between Hathaway's and Gyllenhaal's characters. I have little clue as to why this element was so glossed over, especially seeing as she was billed higher than Williams despite the far less screentime and significance. The relationship reeks of wasted potential and the few scenes that do feature Hathaway feel like a waste of time in the film because of this. In addition, a few other characters seem largely superfluous within the film, and they are also played by distressingly mediocre performers. There are some other minor issues also, some scenes I would have moved around in the screenplay, a confusing subplot that goes nowhere and so. These minor issues do build up, especially the one concerning Hathaway, and do significant damage to the film on the whole for me.
Overall, I greatly enjoyed this dramatic epic, and although I do not hold it as one of the best films of the 2000's, as some do, I do think it is a great film. My largest grievance though, is that it could have been a masterpiece, but some noticeable weak links hold it back. This is my favorite film from Ang Lee however, a director who has more than earned his mass acclaim.
By Jack D. Phillips
A Zoom Film Review
Happy 2015!
The film is largely centered around it's two primary performances from Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal. They are both truly fantastic in portraying two passionately in love men, with deep and relatable doubts and worries concerning their sexuality. Gyllenhaal is far more expressive and active in his performance, showing greater confidence with his sexuality and is far more active in keeping the secretive relationship alive. However possibly even better is Ledger's highly reserved and introspective performance, showing a greater fear of reprisal and shows less certainty as to what he wants with his life. These lead performances are truly outstanding and deserve all the praise they receive. Michelle Williams is also fantastic in the film's most notable supporting role, earning audience sympathy and perfectly engrossing the audience. She actually deserves more praise, for I rarely hear this aspect of the film being highly praised.
The film is also absolutely stunning in terms of visuals. The luscious shots of the mountainous landscape and the sheer scale of every single frame is honestly breathtaking. Shots such as Gyllenhaal staring into the gorgeous and liminal forest while contemplating his deteriorating relationship, or the two herding sheep after their first night together, belong on a wall. The film is genuinely one of the best shot films of the last decade and is a milestone in dramatic storytelling assisted by breathtaking scenery.
Most importantly however is how the film deals with it's socially volatile subject material. Although I am hardly an expert on the subject, the portrayal of homosexuality seemed to very legitimate and portrayed the emotions of confusion and angst over the couples forced repression beautifully. The weight and consequences of the situation were well displayed and I was hugely satisfied by this film's portrayal of the issue.
However despite these high praises, the film is held back from true greatness in my eyes by some heavy flaws. Firstly, Anne Hathaway's character seemed to have been totally wasted. Unlike Michelle Williams, who plays the wife of Ledger's character, we see very little of the relationship between Hathaway's and Gyllenhaal's characters. I have little clue as to why this element was so glossed over, especially seeing as she was billed higher than Williams despite the far less screentime and significance. The relationship reeks of wasted potential and the few scenes that do feature Hathaway feel like a waste of time in the film because of this. In addition, a few other characters seem largely superfluous within the film, and they are also played by distressingly mediocre performers. There are some other minor issues also, some scenes I would have moved around in the screenplay, a confusing subplot that goes nowhere and so. These minor issues do build up, especially the one concerning Hathaway, and do significant damage to the film on the whole for me.
Overall, I greatly enjoyed this dramatic epic, and although I do not hold it as one of the best films of the 2000's, as some do, I do think it is a great film. My largest grievance though, is that it could have been a masterpiece, but some noticeable weak links hold it back. This is my favorite film from Ang Lee however, a director who has more than earned his mass acclaim.
By Jack D. Phillips
A Zoom Film Review
Happy 2015!
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