Brokeback Mountain

Reviewed by Jeff Jacoby
February 25, 2006

Studio: Focus Features Website: www.brokebackmountainmovie.com MPAA: Rated R Review Rating: 6 out of 10

Brokeback Mountain is essentially a love story involving two men, but like all love stories, the success of the film is dependent on the chemistry between the primary characters and the substantive performance by each actor. Regrettably, much was missing in terms of chemistry and much more from the performances.

Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal inBrokeback Mountain.

One is required to believe that these two men that meet on the job herding sheep around Wyoming over a few weeks, ultimately engage in a spur-of-the-moment intense and carnal sexual act. As a result of this “intimacy” they develop a long lasting love for each other, a love that supposedly endures the anti-homosexual bigotry of the time, their heterosexual marriages, the birth of their children, and ultimately the death of one of the characters.

I could never believe the characters. I did not see any chemistry between Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal, in fact, all I viewed was two semi-competent actors attempt to depict two bisexual men.

Heath Ledger was the weaker of the two actors. His mumbling almost unintelligible cowboy accent line delivery was almost too painful. In one scene, he places food in his mouth and delivered some dialogue. I was shocked that the director let him do it. The lines were garbled and therefore difficult to understand. Jake Gyllenhaal fortunately had a better accent and delivered his lines better than his partner, but he had to endure an occasional script writing mishap.

For example, the audience is required to believe that a blue collar and highly undereducated cowboy would use the word asphyxiate in the context of smelling burning flesh after being hit by lightning. Oops.

My ultimate disappointment did not come from the actors, but from the conclusion of the film. The conflict between these two men was not resolved by them after almost two decades of feeling strongly for each other, but by the hate crime that ended one of their lives. To some, this ending might make for a more dramatic impact or deliver a political message that anti-homosexual violence has not diminished in 20 years, but to others this might just seem like an inadequate ending or a cheap Hollywood stunt.

The film has a few redeeming qualities. The performance by Michelle Williams was very good and the movie was filmed in some very picturesque locations. Why this film was nominated for an Academy award is beyond any logic other than a Hollywood agenda.

If I could get my money back for the price of the ticket, I would. If curiosity compels the reader to see this movie, then I suggest a rental. Academy award nomination or not, I can't see myself adding this film to my collection.

Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal should watch The Birdcage, with Robin Williams and Nathan Lane . They might learn a bit about chemistry between gay characters.

[Click Here for more Oscar Nominee Titles]