BrokebackMountain has been both shocking, and pleasing critics since its release, and with good reason.  This cinematographic expression of frustrated, repressed love is so much more than a “gay cowboy movie”.
            In fact, the movie’s exploration of homosexuality is a less influential issue than the love story.  Although it would have caused less of a stir if it were the love story of a man and a woman – the huge, aching heart in the center of the film would be beating just as strong.
            This movie follows the lives of two rural workers – a ranch hand, Ennis Del Mar, played by Heath Ledger and a rodeo cowboy, Jack Twist, played by Jake Gyllenhal.  The two spend a summer together and fall in love, while herding sheep on a mountain in Wyoming.
            Both of the characters are rugged bruiting men that have been involved with women, which makes their love story even more shocking.  Over the next decade, through success, marriage, children and divorce, they reunite in Wyoming to commence their love. 
            Their relationship has all of the troubles of an average one, with the added fear of persecution from those around them.  Del Mar, a minor homophobe, is reluctant to consummate their relationship permanently because he witnessed a gay boy being beaten and murdered for his sexual preference.  Twist, the more wildly romantic of the two, continues trying to convince Del Mar that their hidden misery is far worse than that public ridicule could possibly be, but Del Mar doesn’t truly understand it until Twists’ death.
            It is the not-so-classic tale of finding true love, and feeling that you can do nothing about it.  With American-style romantic comedies swelling our heads, the idea of unachievable love is far from our grip.  I was afraid that the film would give up the fight, and allow the two to reconcile for a big, weepy Hollywood ending.  The route of realism usually abandoned in American movies, to ensure “good feelings” in viewers.
            There were a slew of surprisingly impressive performances in this film, by actors who have not thrilled me in the past – with the exception of the intriguingly brave Gyllenhal, who is no stranger to the outlandish role.  Heath Ledger, Anne Hathaway, and Michelle Williams, however, are three of the most white-collared, teenie boppers in Hollywood.  Their decision to embark on this rather outspoken drama surrounding deep-rooted adult issues proves that their days of A Knight’s Tale, Princess Diaries, and Dawson’s Creek (respectively) are far behind them.
            Although Ledger is getting the most praise for his portrayal of the bruiting yet bitter Del Mar, I thought Gyllenhal was the more impressive of the two.  Ledger’s accent was unbelievably bad in comparison, and Gyllenhal’s naked vulnerability and openness toward his love for Del Mar made the film moving all on its own.  Both Hathaway and Williams also had challenging roles, as the sideline wives of two practicing gay men.  The entire cast was breathtaking, and emotionally honest, which made the already inspiring yet tragic love story shake the soul.