Brokeback Mountain (2005)
- Synopsis:
- Based on the short story by Pulitzer Prize-winning author E. Annie Proulx, BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN is the tragic and moving story of two cowboys who unexpectedly fall in love while working together one summer in 1963. When the film begins, rodeo cowboy Jack Twist (Jake Gyllenhaal) and ranch-hand Ennis Del Mar (Heath Ledger) are strangers meeting for the first time. As the more outgoing one, it is Jack who must initiate a friendship with Ennis, a man so tight-lipped and self-consciously macho he refuses all facial expression. From this strained beginning, Jack and Ennis gradually begin to bond on cold, lonely nights over a fire in the mountains of Signal, Wyoming. One particularly chilly evening, Jack invites Ennis into his tent, where a sudden awkward embrace sends their relationship in a new direction. Though each man stubbornly defends his heterosexuality, the spark between them cannot help but grow, with that initial summer on Brokeback Mountain becoming their reference point for happiness during the rest of their lives.Spanning 20 years, the film moves at an impressively slow pace that really captures the detailed and unhurried style of Proulx's story. Seeing each other a few times a year at best, Ennis and Jack spend the rest of their time halfheartedly living up to society's expectations by marrying and having kids. When the lovers do meet, there is a sense of love so palpable and frustrating it often manifests itself in physical violence. Gyllenhaal shines as the film's hopeful light, and Ledger gives a powerful performance as the emotionally blocked Ennis. Academy Award-winning director Ang Lee captures the natural beauty of Wyoming and Texas with camerawork that, while beautiful, never feels imposing. Gustavo Santaolalla's simple yet haunting score helps to complete a beautiful portrait of wasted chances and regret.
- Starring:
- Heath Ledger, Jake Gyllenhaal
- Director:
- Ang Lee
- Rated:
- R
Details
- Starring:
- Heath Ledger, Jake Gyllenhaal, Linda Cardellini, Anna Faris, Anne Hathaway, Michelle Williams, Randy Quaid, Graham Beckel, Scott Campbell, David Harbour, Kate Mara, Roberta Maxwell, Peter McRobbie
- Director:
- Ang Lee
- Genres:
- Romance, Cowboys, Drama, Literary/Period Drama, Romantic Drama, Romantic Drama, Tearjerkers, Tearjerkers, Western, Western Drama
- Rated:
- R
- Runtime:
- 134
- Language:
- English
- Country:
- United States of America
- Year:
- 2005
- Keywords:
- 1960s, affair, cowboy, dysfunctional marriage, forbidden love, homophobia, Homosexuality, mountain
Awards
- Best Directing
- Best Writing (Based on Previous Material)
- Best Music (Score)
- Best Picture
- Best Cinematography
- Best Actor: Heath Ledger
- Best Supporting Actor: Jake Gyllenhaal
- Best Supporting Actress: Michelle Williams
- Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture: Michelle Williams
- Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role: Heath Ledger
- Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture: Jake Gyllenhaal
- Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role: Jake Gyllenhaal
- Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture: Anna Faris
- Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role: Michelle Williams
- Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture: Anne Hathaway
- Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture: Randy Quaid
- Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture: Heath Ledger
- Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture: Linda Cardellini
Academy Award
Won
Nominated
Screen Actors Guild Awards
Nominated
Movie DNA
Attributes ordered and rated by our clerks.
Well-loved movie
Romance
Character Depth
Tearjerker
Cinematography
Hollywood Feel
Sex
Downbeat
Slow Pace
Soundtrack
Disturbing
Sensuality
Violence
