Brokeback Mountain (2005)
I remember the buzz and talk when this film came out. It was groundbreaking, brave and bold in having a gay relationship in focus of a big Hollywood movie. I admit it didn’t really catch my interest back then, and I am glad to now see that it definitely isn’t “just” a groundbreaking film for its time. It is just damn good regardless of whatever unspoken rules of movies it might have broken at the time, because that is not what is important.
While it is very much about a gay relationship and the very special struggles it gives that isn’t directly transferable to heterosexual relationships - especially in the 60s America, it is ultimately still about unfulfilled relationships. In this movie not just for Jack and Ennis, also for their respective wives. Their own families becomes alienated, because they can’t be allowed to be themselves. It is really an all around very sad film. Everyone suffers when forced to live a life of restraint and lies. No one wins in this scenario where people need to hide their true self from everyone around them and society.
Needless to say, performances, locations, music and cinematography are all top tier here. It did deserve the Oscar that year more than any of the other titles. My only minor criticism is that it at times almost feel manipulative in how it conveys its themes. You are rarely in doubt what the movie wants you to feel or think in most scenes. It still has enough subtlety though to redeem that though.
Rating: 4