Brokeback Mountain (2005)

Ang Lee’s 2005 neo-western romance film Brokeback Mountain explores forbidden love in a subtle but passionate way. The unique and innovative use of genre alongside the honest and heart-breaking exploration of an affair between a rodeo cowboy and a ranch hand was what made the film an instant favourite for audiences and critics alike. The film follows the story of Jack Twist and Ennis Del Mar, two men who are hired to work as sheep herders in a small, isolated area in Wyoming known as ‘Brokeback Mountain’. The audience are aligned with the perspective of Jack throughout the film and this allows us to understand his complex character, as well as the feelings that he soon develops for Ennis. Both Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal are outstanding in their performances of two men who are similar yet so very different. Ledger as Ennis, a troubled and slightly aggressive man and Gyllenhaal as a much gentler Jack. Both men are emotional allowing their true thoughts and feelings to be expressed, compared and contrasted through the films long cuts and two shots.

For the initial three minutes of the film no dialogue is heard as the men stand awkwardly next to each other, strangers in their company. This is important in the progression of their relationship as they build up a connection through the time over summer they spend together. The flirting and laughing develops into something more, and this is shown by Lee through minimal sexual content but instead by documenting the way that their personalities change after they become closer. The first half of the film allows the audience to connect with the characters which is important. In my opinion this could be seen to be too slow in pace and a bit long-winded, however on the other hand it has to be considered that this is much more realistic than that of a speedy whirlwind romance which is what Ang Lee aimed for.

When the summer ends the men part ways and go back to their everyday lives. They both move on and meet women who soon become their wives and therefore major parts of their lives. There is no time for Jack and Ennis to meet up and stay in contact therefore they act as though their relationship was imaginary for the sake of their new lives, however it is clear to the audience that their time spent on Brokeback Mountain had a greater impact on them than they let off. Their lives at home become dull and with minimal purpose which is why when Ennis receives a message from Jack suggesting they meet he jumps in his car and drives off to meet for a ‘fishing trip’. These trips become a common occurrence and the men continue their relationship as though it never ended, whilst keeping their wives at home who are none-the-wiser.

The exploration of a homosexual relationship between two cowboys living in an area that would never even let a gay male step foot into a pub without a homophobic slur or remark is what makes the film so interesting and important. The impact that this has could range depending on your background or ideologies, but the one thing it certainly does is create a great amount of sorrow for the struggles that the men face at being who they truly are. They can’t show their true selves to anyone but themselves which is crushing and unacceptable – especially in the eyes of a modern audience who may be much more liberal.

A quote that stood out to me that was spoken by Jack towards the end of the film was “I wish I knew how to quit you.” This highlights the importance of Ennis in Jack’s life whilst showing that Jack understands that he can’t live the way he wants as society thinks it is wrong. As an audience member this made me question why society thinks that they can stop love. Love is love whether it is between a woman and a man, a man and a man or anyone else who feels for someone else, why should we have a say in this when it isn’t our life it is someone else’s.

It has to be noted that sorrow is felt for the wives in the film as well, as they are in love with the men but don’t know that the connection they feel is actually false. Close-up shots of crying and kissing emphasise the importance of the relationships for the characters in the film, making the audience feel sympathy.

The sense of personification that is given to Brokeback Mountain as a place is what makes the film pull the heartstrings. The men begin their love affair at Brokeback, bonding over their stories and troubles, which is what makes the final visit to the place so tear-jerking. The love that haunts the men for decades is overall the most important factor of the film and is a love that in the end never leaves them whether they like it or not. The progression over the years allows us to see that as the men grow old their love stays young but still impossible.