Rent Brokeback Mountain (2005)

Brokeback Mountain. - Brokeback Mountain review by Miss Lane

One of the most enthralling and emotional films I have seen in a good year. The story is realistic, the cinematography is stunning and the acting is superb. You really feel how they feel about being homosexual in a time where it was visibly wrong as well as emotionally. Its a fantastic film, get over any homophobia you may have and enjoy.

Engaging drama but a bit over-hyped - Brokeback Mountain review by CP Customer

The two leads are certainly fantastic actors and very convincing in their roles. The sweeping landscapes are spectacular and shot beautifully. It is a fairly uncomfortable film to watch though. The gay sex scenes are quite graphic.

what a load of hipe - Brokeback Mountain review by CP Customer

this film has been built up and built up what a load of rubbish talk about slow with in the first ten minutes you know whats going to happen very dissapointed

Stunning and a real heart warmer - Brokeback Mountain review by CS

This is one of the most realistic and honest films to portray true life for gay people that I have ever seen. The subject matter is dealt with in a warm, understanding and sympathetic way, that shows the true heartache and prejudices that gay people have to suffer. Two real men who just happen to love each other, torn apart by societies prejudices and pressures to conform to a world which is not theirs. Set in the 70's, the themes explored are as true and relevant today as they ever were. I personally cannot stand gay men being portrayed as camp effeminate things, because most of them simply are as straight as the next bloke! I'm not into girly movies or camp humour and this is neither, it is a real bloke movie about love and I was very surprised at how well made, well directed and what superb acting performances are put in by all the actors. A real must see. If you have any kind of homophobic tendencies, then you need to see this film and then perhaps you will finally understand! I take my hat off to all those involved in the making of such a dramatic, well made and true to real life epic.

A heart-breakingly sad masterpiece, flawlessly photographed, with Heath's best performance - Brokeback Mountain review by TB

I so clearly remember Brokeback Mountain being released, mainly due to the intense media interest surrounding it, which I always felt was totally overblown & stupid. Although there had, leading up to 2005, been other films which had gay romances, these had never been the main subject of a major film in this way. I will also never forget when I saw it at the cinema. I watched it in Brighton, surrounded by mainly older gay couples, and the emotion & tension in the room was something I had never experienced, such was it's power. But for me, the best thing about this film is quite simply it is a phenomenal story, beautifully photographed & perfectly acted.

In 1963, Ennis Del Mar hitchhikes to Wyoming in search of work. He ends up at the offices of Joe Aguirre, a formidable & uncompromising farmer, where he meets Jack Twist, a rodeo bull-rider who is also searching for work. The two begin to fall in love after spending time working & camping together on Brokeback Mountain, guarding sheep. Despite the deep connection, they know that they would never be able to be together, due to the rampant homophobia/dangers of being in a same-sex relationship. The film charts the 20 years of their lives as they struggle to manage this secret love.

There are so many things that I could say about this film, but what still sticks with me more vividly than anything was the cinematography & Ledger's performance. This film is simply incredible to look at. Every shot is beautiful, from the sun beating down on the rich green grass, through to the roaring fire round the campsite in the night. The colour palette is also a treat to watch. I so desperately want there to be a 4K remastered version of this film, as it would take something beautiful & elevate it to the next level.

And then we come to Ledger's performance, which for me is & always will be his best work. Whilst I don't want to in any way denigrate Jake Gyllenhaal's acting, I cannot adequately describe how moving & seismic Heath is in this film. This is a character who has, at most, half a page of dialogue over the entire film. And yet, due to the hauntedness & power of Ledger's acting, we know everything about what Ennis is feeling & his thoughts.

This is a performance of fearful looks, hats pulled down low & shrinking inside his clothes to make him as hidden as possible, such is the trauma & internal pain he is dealing with. But whilst he tries to hide away, he is also prone to bursts of furious anger & violence when threatened or upset. The pain of this film is often simply watching a man who cannot be himself trying to exist, whilst managing the deep love he feels for another man, which would be suicide to be open about at that time in America.

The other actors are also sensational. Michelle Williams brings real pain to the screen as she tries to manage her failing marriage & discovering her husband's secret. Anne Hathaway also brings a steely but painful presence to her role, as the straight-talking businesswoman who finds her love slipping away from Jack.

This is for me in many ways one of the most heartbreaking films about love I've ever seen, but also I want to clearly say that, as much as it is a story about 2 men falling in love, I never see it as simply a gay movie. For me, it was & always will be a story about love, which happens to feature a same-sex relationship. It's themes are timeless & the pain of not being able to love who you want is not just reserved for gay love. This film shows the destruction of people's very being when they are not able to love who they want.

Heartbreaking perfection

One of the all-time best films: unbearbly beautiful and sad - Brokeback Mountain review by KH

In the 15 years or so since I last watched this film, I had forgotten just how brilliant it was. Now watching it again with my 17-year-old son, I found it extraordinarily - almost unbearably - beautiful and sad. We were both in tears by the end...

Amazing and beautiful - Brokeback Mountain review by PL

Very beautiful film and really realistic. A tragic love sorry like so many that we see every day, and especially in the 60s and 70s. Very delicately directed and acted, with beautiful scenery. The cast is absolutely amazing.