Love provides backbone for Mountain Movie
Amanda Wilson
Northern Iowan Movie Reviewer
(The Student Newspaper for the University of Northern Iowa)



A profound bond forms in one short summer, develops over decades and endures eternally.

That is the quiet essence of the movie “Brokeback Mountain,” directed by Ang Lee and based on the short story of the same name by E. Annie Proulx.

Ennis Del Mar (Heath Ledger) and Jack Twist (Jake Gyllenhaal) meet in 1963 when they are hired by Joe Aguirre (Randy Quaid) to herd sheep on Brokeback Mountain in Wyoming for the summer.

Jack’s amiable nature contrasts well with the few words and quiet manner of Ennis.

Jack and Ennis become more comfortable with themselves, as well as with each other, as the summer goes on, until circumstances bring them physically together one chilly night.

Their attraction is a raw, forceful struggle between aggressive masculinity and heartfelt desire.

The summer comes to an end and they part ways, yet the bond between them persists and strengthens.

Vows, families and fears of brutal repercussions prevent Jack and Ennis from running off and getting a ranch together.

Michelle Williams gives a heart-rending performance as Ennis’ wife, Alma Del Mar, and Anne Hathaway of “The Princess Diaries” fame plays Jack’s wife.

Years pass without a word between the two men until Ennis unexpectedly receives a postcard from Jack, suggesting that they get together. Ennis claims Jack is an old “fishing buddy” and anticipates his visit.

Their less-than-hidden embrace and whirlwind departure for a “fishing trip” leaves Alma shocked and in tears of dismay.

More years pass as Ennis and Jack escape on infrequent “fishing trips.” The connection between the two men is as strong as ever back up on Brokeback Mountain, as all they share is tied to that place. Neither man can describe or control the love he feels for the other.

Conflicts arise between Ennis and Jack, though, as Jack is never satisfied with the way things are.

Ennis wisely replies at one point, “If you can’t fix it, you’ve got to stand it.” And so they resign themselves to dreary lives of restraint punctuated by short affairs.

All of the four main characters grow in their depth of expression as they age, but none more so than Ennis.

Heath Ledger has received Oscar buzz for this role, and he deserves it.

As stoic and reserved as Ennis is, his pain and inner struggle are the most evident and moving of all the characters.

The movie leisurely unfolds to a conclusion that left me with a numb ache of emotion. The overall pace may be too slow for some, but I felt that it went well with the unassuming nature of the film and its characters.

“This is life” the movie seems to say, without ever preaching a message or judging choices.

I came away from the movie with this: Life is what you make of it, and so is love. It’s bigger than man or woman or mountain and more expansive than time or distance. The people we love and the bonds between us are what make life hard and what make it great.

Go see “Brokeback Mountain” and see the essence of what makes us human.