Brokeback Mountain

Ang Lee 2005

In the barren grasslands of Wyoming, two young men spend a summer together sheep herding. This close companionship leads to a deep, longstanding but ultimately destructive love affair.

This is a poetic, slow and often overtly arty film, that is as much about the American countryside and the hardships faced by those who live and work there as it is about the gay relationship.

Although I watched this purely for Jake Gyllenhaal (yes I am shallow) I was pleasantly surprised by Heath Ledger. His character is a true macho man almost struck dumb by the overwhelming emotions he is faced with. Ledger's performance is more about what is not said than what is.

Ultimately one question remains for me, why doesn't Hollywood do happy gay? Its always tragic gay that is noticed.

A brilliantly moving film that deserves all the accolades that it receives.