Brokeback Beauty
CRITIQUE : Tis’ the Season for Cowboy Luv…
YUCK! This is the word my college buddy gave me when the store keeper was already handing me a recently purchased pirated DVD of “Brokeback Mountain” during one Sunday afternoon in a popular bargain mall. I’d understand his expression because admittedly, Ang Lee’s latest production has very well been coined as this year’s most controversial award-winning “gay cowboy film”. The movie however is not just that, it’s a whole lot DEEPER than most people perceive it be…
The Pulitzer Prize-winning E. Anne Proulx short story-turned-screenplay is top-billed by two of the hottest Hollywood hunks, Jake Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger – playing two cowboys who met each other in a sheep-herding stint back in the early 1960’s, forged an inevitable bond that became an intimate SECRET one cold lonely night. The sweet and playful duet ended shortly after the job as they go back to their previous lives, have ladies walk into their hearts and eventually, families of their own. Then came the exciting reunion that climaxed into one indiscreet yet UBER-INTENSE ‘lip-lock’ scene between the two hung lovers. Just when things could have gone back to where they’d have prefer it be, complications arose almost reaching to the point when the two clashed with each others’ devotion for one another.
I won’t spoil the ending here (actually, the Director allowed room for the viewer’s own interpretation) but honestly, it’s really HEART WRENCHING for me to complete the ‘journey’ and experience everything – even in just a 21” TV monitor! The movie is just pure of emotions seething with passion that the audience is guaranteed to be drawn to. Combine this with the picturesque backdrop of Western old country and the poignant steel guitar and strings (GOD, those notes keep ‘popping’ up in my head!) and you have yourself a compelling movie. Thanks to the forums in the Internet Movie Database, I came to realize a lot of symbolisms that the movie actually has!
The actors are just so ‘in’ to their roles! Jake came out as more of the adventurous seducer, typically avid yet submissive when it comes to sex, with the ‘hots’ for the more subtle, yet equally fierce (when angry) Heath. I actually see myself in Heath’s character being the more passive of the two male leads, emotionally repressed, laconic and rational. He knows too well of society’s cruel discriminations and so he chose to play the husband/father card. Not to be left out are the female leads who also portrayed mesmerizing characters. Michelle Williams is equally charming as Heath as she portrayed the martyred wife. As for Anne Hathaway, oh my, she has matured so much as I can still remember her jovial character in “Princess Diaries”! She’s a hottie herself and her character even overpowered Jake in one of the most tormenting backseat sex scene ever! If I were to compare her juggies with Michelle’s (who also showed hers while Heath was doing the usual ‘doggy’ routine), I’ll definitely vote for Anne’s. Who knew that an innocent-looking lass like hers can act so assertive!
Brokeback Mountain is a definite ‘must watch’ film. It’s easy to dismiss this movie as simply another queer flick with a different twist (re: the cowboys of the West) and universal statement on forbidden love and all that but be warned, it packs a whole lot of emotions! The impact is sure to hit all people of different age and sexual orientation. The message is so profound and very unnerving – it’s all about life, not just merely ‘surviving’ it but moreso to ‘live it’ notwithstanding the disappointments, frustrations and prejudice that pains our fragile souls. Sure everyone of us have our own personal regrets but really, these imperfections are what makes our lives essential. The losses that we have had in the past are really not losses per se for we keep them not only in our memories but also in our hearts so that we are reminded everyday that though we are mere mortals – our lives are quintessential! Very few films can emulate such a degree of correlation and because of such, this movie is definitely a POWERHOUSE in itself… I’d give this movie a rating of 1.25 out of 4 (University of the Philippines’ grading scale).
"It could be like this, just like this, always." (a love stricken cowboy)
