Two shepherds fall for each other, but their relationship becomes complicated when they both get married to their respective girlfriends.Two shepherds fall for each other, but their relationship becomes complicated when they both get married to their respective girlfriends.Two shepherds fall for each other, but their relationship becomes complicated when they both get married to their respective girlfriends.
- Director
- Writers
- Stars
- Won 3 Oscars
- 141 wins & 133 nominations total
Dave Trimble
- Basque
- (as David Trimble)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Summary
Reviewers say 'Brokeback Mountain' evokes profound emotions, exploring love, loneliness, and societal repression. The film is praised for powerful storytelling, exceptional acting, and beautiful cinematography. Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal's performances are highlighted for depth and authenticity. However, some find the pacing slow and the plot lacking. The portrayal of a same-sex relationship in a conservative setting is both celebrated for its boldness and critiqued for lacking emotional depth. Overall, 'Brokeback Mountain' is seen as significant and impactful, though opinions on its execution vary.
Featured reviews
I've always admired this film to a certain extent, but I think the thing that always kept me from loving it was that it never resonated with me emotionally. I would get attached while watching it, but all of those feelings would leave me fairly soon afterward. It had been about five years since I'd seen the film, and in that time I have grown up a lot, fallen in love, had my heart ripped to shreds and fallen back in love again and I think this growth personally has really opened me up to a place in my mind and heart to embrace this film more than most other screen romances that exist. Almost immediately it hit me harder than it had before and after a day since I watched it, the pain and heartache I experienced during it still remains at my core.
It's a love film told non-traditionally, but not because it's two men, that doesn't even factor into the depiction of it. It's nontraditional because it's two people fighting against the love and it's accuracy in this is startling. How there are times where you can hate the person you love, hate so many things about them and hate that you are in love with them, but you can't give it up at all. You can't walk away from it because it's like an addiction and I think this film more than any before it captures that remarkably.
A lot of this lies in the writing, but of course the performances from Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal certainly play a key factor in capturing it. Their characters take the love in different forms, Ennis fighting himself over it and Jack fighting the world because of it, but both actors capture exactly what they need to and bring this magnetism that really sparks. Gyllenhaal's openness is beautiful, his determination to make the love work and to just exist the way he wants to, he definitely provides the emotional anchor for the film and gives a heartbreaking portrayal.
It's Ledger, of course, who steals the show though, with a kind of transcendent performance that we're treated to maybe once a decade. He becomes this character in such a vivid way that you don't even recognize the actor inside the role anymore. Gyllenhaal is Jack and hits the surface notes expertly, but you can still see Jake Gyllenhaal in there. Heath Ledger is completely gone and from the very beginning of the film we have Ennis and we have him until the very end. This character is an incredibly difficult one to take on, he could have easily been someone who was hard to like or sympathize with due to his internalizing and his refusal to fully embrace the relationship and who he is, but that's what makes it hit even harder, thanks to Ledger's brutal work.
You see the pain in this person living a lie in every moment we have with him, with that turned in mouth and speech pattern that always sounds like it's hurting him to let anything out because he's afraid of how people are going to react. It's a performance unlike any other out there and in the end it's one that brings me to my knees. "Jack, I swear," was always a line that floored me when I was watching it but now it's at a point where just thinking of the line and the way that Ledger delivers it brings some water to my eyes.
It's a love film told non-traditionally, but not because it's two men, that doesn't even factor into the depiction of it. It's nontraditional because it's two people fighting against the love and it's accuracy in this is startling. How there are times where you can hate the person you love, hate so many things about them and hate that you are in love with them, but you can't give it up at all. You can't walk away from it because it's like an addiction and I think this film more than any before it captures that remarkably.
A lot of this lies in the writing, but of course the performances from Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal certainly play a key factor in capturing it. Their characters take the love in different forms, Ennis fighting himself over it and Jack fighting the world because of it, but both actors capture exactly what they need to and bring this magnetism that really sparks. Gyllenhaal's openness is beautiful, his determination to make the love work and to just exist the way he wants to, he definitely provides the emotional anchor for the film and gives a heartbreaking portrayal.
It's Ledger, of course, who steals the show though, with a kind of transcendent performance that we're treated to maybe once a decade. He becomes this character in such a vivid way that you don't even recognize the actor inside the role anymore. Gyllenhaal is Jack and hits the surface notes expertly, but you can still see Jake Gyllenhaal in there. Heath Ledger is completely gone and from the very beginning of the film we have Ennis and we have him until the very end. This character is an incredibly difficult one to take on, he could have easily been someone who was hard to like or sympathize with due to his internalizing and his refusal to fully embrace the relationship and who he is, but that's what makes it hit even harder, thanks to Ledger's brutal work.
You see the pain in this person living a lie in every moment we have with him, with that turned in mouth and speech pattern that always sounds like it's hurting him to let anything out because he's afraid of how people are going to react. It's a performance unlike any other out there and in the end it's one that brings me to my knees. "Jack, I swear," was always a line that floored me when I was watching it but now it's at a point where just thinking of the line and the way that Ledger delivers it brings some water to my eyes.
A really quite remarkable and moving love story between 2 cowboys that transcends any notions of what love between 2 people 'should' be. From their first raw encounter of physical intimacy, to the warmth and compassion that follows, we are taken on a journey of love and despair as these 2 men endeavour to keep alive an impossible relationship in the most difficult and unforgiving of times.
Full of passion, daring, hope and despair, Heath & Jake give extremely brave and heartfelt performances in roles that not only would be a formidable challenge for any straight actor, but that will also shake and perhaps change forever the traditional stereo-type of the American cowboy. The courage required to bring this 'forbidden' love story to life on the screen is almost breathtaking, and is fully deserving of any awards that come its' way
Full of passion, daring, hope and despair, Heath & Jake give extremely brave and heartfelt performances in roles that not only would be a formidable challenge for any straight actor, but that will also shake and perhaps change forever the traditional stereo-type of the American cowboy. The courage required to bring this 'forbidden' love story to life on the screen is almost breathtaking, and is fully deserving of any awards that come its' way
I have viewed Brokeback Mountain a total of three times on a 50 inch plasma. I spaced my views almost six months apart so I could grasp more completely and without prejudice, how I would rate this flick.
It is beyond a doubt an American classic and looking back I regret so profoundly the death of Heath, who played Enis. The amount of acting skill and diversity it took to do such a touching and completely honest job, makes this young man, Heath Ledger, a legend.
The scenes in the Brokeback were beautiful and allowed me to imagine somehow I was transformed back in time watch these young men.
The truth is neither one of the characters was entirely gay, rather bisexual, but they did find each other as their own natural soul mates.
Unfortunately cultural prejudice and homophobia prevented them from doing what Jack Twist had dreamed, ranching together on his father's spread.
The final scenes are absolutely acted with such depth of character, the viewer is taken to tears. The Brokeback will not have Jack's ashes, since even in death, the culture denies him his final request, his ashes spread upon the Brokeback.
Many of the bigots who have posted here on this fine cinema should be ashamed as they bray their ignorance for all to read.
A fine film and probably one of the top love stories of all time in film.
It is beyond a doubt an American classic and looking back I regret so profoundly the death of Heath, who played Enis. The amount of acting skill and diversity it took to do such a touching and completely honest job, makes this young man, Heath Ledger, a legend.
The scenes in the Brokeback were beautiful and allowed me to imagine somehow I was transformed back in time watch these young men.
The truth is neither one of the characters was entirely gay, rather bisexual, but they did find each other as their own natural soul mates.
Unfortunately cultural prejudice and homophobia prevented them from doing what Jack Twist had dreamed, ranching together on his father's spread.
The final scenes are absolutely acted with such depth of character, the viewer is taken to tears. The Brokeback will not have Jack's ashes, since even in death, the culture denies him his final request, his ashes spread upon the Brokeback.
Many of the bigots who have posted here on this fine cinema should be ashamed as they bray their ignorance for all to read.
A fine film and probably one of the top love stories of all time in film.
I am only 15, and i just recently saw this movie. I couldn't believe how good it was! After i saw it once, i had to see it again and again, and finally buy it on DVD. The characters in this movie are amazing. Brokeback Mountain isn't a made-up place, it is a state of mind that we all have in us. You just have to find it. It's not just a gay place in a gay movie,as some may want to think. It's a place of love that is not forbidden, and peace, all is equal, and happiness overflows. For those who haven't yet seen this movie, I highly recommend it. For those who have seen it, and loved it as much as i do, i recommend that we keep the story alive, and get others to do the same. I will always keep this movie close to my heart and it has changed me in such a way that i can not describe it. My mind is Brokeback Mountain, and I wish everyone could find that place in their mind, heart, and soul!
I love this movie. Really love it. Haunting score, stunning cinematography, gripping performances, timeless tale--everything. People quibble about non-essentials. I'm female, middle-aged, hetero, and I defy you to tell me that the average straight guy is any more expressive than Ennis or any less needy than Jack. Or the average gal, either, straight or gay. Deeper than their sex, their sexuality, their religious, educational, economic or historic backgrounds, Jack and Ennis are two human beings living in the world as they find it--beautiful and indifferent at best, and as they find themselves--beautiful and flawed at best. Desire is desire. The desire for warmth, for connection, for any echo at all in the vastness of time and space, is shared by every human being ever to have lived. For me, the issue is not how repressed or thwarted Ennis and Jack are, but how persistently they turn toward the light, despite all impediment. Brokeback Mountain lyrically retells a story thousands of years old: loss and grief are unavoidable; love is where you find it.
Did you know
- TriviaHeath Ledger adamantly shut down any homophobic jokes at the Academy Awards, as he felt it demeaned a really moving love story.
- GoofsWhen Cassie dances with Ennis the first time (in the late 1970s), the jukebox is playing Steve Earle's revamped version of "The Devil's Right Hand," which first came out in 1987-8.
- Quotes
Jack Twist: Tell you what... the truth is... sometimes I miss you so much I can hardly stand it.
- ConnectionsEdited into 5 Second Movies: Brokeback Mountain (2008)
- SoundtracksThe Cowboy's Lament
Traditional
- How long is Brokeback Mountain?Powered by Alexa
- Why does Jack's moustache disappear then reappear at the lake scene?
- When Ennis and Alma were in bed, was Alma telling Ennis he didn't spend enough time with his daughters or that she wanted a divorce?
- Are there precursors to Brokeback Mountain's homosexual relationship in the Western genre?
Details
- Release date
- Countries of origin
- Languages
- Also known as
- Secreto en la montaña
- Filming locations
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $14,000,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $84,111,816
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $547,425
- Dec 11, 2005
- Gross worldwide
- $179,137,137
- Runtime2 hours 14 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1
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