Brokeback Mountain at the Esquire

[kybearfuzz]

I'm glad that Brokeback Mountain FINALLY came to Cincinnati last weekend, even if it is only playing at the smaller, artsy venue The Esquire and one other theater. I've never been to the Esquire, I like that the marquee outside is very old school, it gives the theater a nice feel. Nothing like sitting in a small theater full of gay men, straight women, college students, and the few straight guys dragged to the movie kicking and screaming.


An awkward moment in Brokeback Mountain
The movie was impressive. Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal were exceptional in the roles of two cowboys who fall in love on the remote Brokeback Mountain. I've heard people complain that Ledger's character mumbles a lot, but that fits well with the character. I can see why he was nominated for a Golden Globe (and possibly an upcoming Oscar), but I'm surprised that Gyllenhaal didn't get a nod too. It was a very good movie and I greatly enjoyed it.

The showing I went to was sold out soon after I got there and the next showing was filling up fast. With this kind of demand and the big buzz surrounding the movie, I'm still kind of shocked that the big chains around here have not started carrying it. Cincinnati can be such a stupid city sometimes....

I stopped by PF Chang's and got a bowl of hot & sour soup to go for dinner. Sweet ambrosia of the gods....

Comments

[jprtoronto.livejournal.com]

For some reason Gyllhenhelliquenxdfhdsc (my spelling is off) is nominated for best supporting actor in one of the major awards coming up pre Oscars. That surprised me. I guess the producers of the movie don't want the actors to cancel each other out a la Thelma & Louise so they are just hyping one of them and Jake gets the short end of the stick.

[mikiedoggie.livejournal.com]

You know, I guess I can sort of see him being nominated for Best Supporting Actor... if only to prevent one actor cancelling each other out... but yeah, I really don't see his role "supporting" Ledger's in the movie. They really were equals, although I personally think Ledger had a slightly better role and filled it out better. And I thought his mumbling was perfectly in character.

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

I hope they both get nominated. I think I can see Ledger being the Best Actor because he did get more screen time than Gyllenhaal.

POSSIBLE MILD SPOILERS...

[daddytodd.livejournal.com]

I can see why Ledger is considered "lead" and Gyllenhaal "supporting." The movie is really Ennis's story. He's the one who has a character arc. He's the one who grows and, finally at the end, makes some tentative steps towards intimacy.

In story terms, Jack serves Ennis's character development, but doesn't really develop much himself.

Re: POSSIBLE MILD SPOILERS...

[mikiedoggie.livejournal.com]

I'd have to, at least generally, agree with you regarding the development of the story arcs. I think Gyllenhall does go through an arc of sort, but a lot of what happens to Jack over the 20 years is provided in bits and pieces, and not elaborated upon. One of the few aspects of the movie I didn't like with Jack's argument with Ennis at the end of the film. Gyllenhaal is talking about how hard it is for him to only have a few visits with Ennis a year... I really didn't feel like there a focus on how hard it was for Gyllenhaal's character. You see bits here and there... but its not to cohesive. Certainly you look at the trip Ennis makes at the end of the film and his subsequent conversation with his daughter, and you can see he's finally making those first steps to opening up.