Force of Nature
By LINDSAY KALVIG, Pulse Movie Reviewer
WCFcourier.com



"Brokeback Mountain" is about one of the places we hold dear because of the memories held there.

Ennis Del Mar (Heath Ledger) and Jack Twist (Jake Gyllenhaal) meet each other one summer while herding sheep for Joe Aguirre (Randy Quaid). Ennis, appointed site manager, has the duty of maintaining the campsite and cooking for the two of them. Jack, told to sleep with the sheep, watches over the flock at night to guard against wolves and other predators.

Getting to know each other over the summer months, Ennis and Jack soon feel a connection that is unusual to both of them. One night, as Ennis and Jack lay together in the tent to stay warm, a surge of emotion overtakes them as they give in to their new feelings.

The tale of "Brokeback Mountain" does not stay within the mountainside, however. The movie continues with the separate lives of Ennis and Jack as they each get married and have children.

But after four years without a word between them, Ennis is greeted one day by a postcard from Jack that says he'll be in town and would like to visit. Ennis excitedly agrees.

Feelings and memories from long ago overcome them as they embrace each other in a passionate kiss --- just in time for Ennis' wife, Alma (Michelle Williams) to see them. Though she remains silent for years about what she saw, Alma eventually files for divorce while Jack's wife Lureen (Anne Hathaway) remains clueless.

"Brokeback Mountain" is a movie about a forbidden love and an often taboo topic that became a surprise hit at the box office and at the Golden Globes Monday.

Though a difficult role to tackle --- both actors said they were uncomfortable during the kissing scenes --- the two stars of this film portray the raw emotion you could only expect would come from such a relationship.

Williams does a beautiful job as Alma, the heartbroken and disgusted wife of Ennis Del Mar. There is a sense of suspense in wondering how she will confront her husband once she finds out his sexual preference, and yet the confrontation that ensues is anything but what you would expect.

Based upon the short story by Annie Proulx, "Brokeback Mountain" is an outspoken hero among all other films in theaters today.




**Article edited by HH administration to remove political commentary.**