BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN

2005 *** 134 mins.

Here is the best way that I can describe this film: it's a mixture of Cold Mountain, Closer, and Urban Cowboy, all of which are better (except Closer, of course). The film moved way too fast after the first 45 minutes, the aggressiveness in the sex scenes was totally not needed (there is a difference between passion and aggression), and it relied way too much on sentimentality at the end. Everything was forced, nothing flowed very well. A big problem with it is that it is based too closely on the short story. If the film had been paced slower, it would have been a fantastic film. I really wanted to love it, but unfortunately, I have to give it ***. Thank God it didn't win Best Picture. If it had, I would have been very disappointed with the Academy.
Rated R for sexuality, nudity, language, and some violence. NOTES:

• Aspect ratio: 1.85:1.
• First showing was in Italy on September 02, 2005 at the Venice Film Festival.

• ACADEMY AWARDS - Best Director (Ang Lee), Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Score (Gustavo Santaolalla ), and Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published (Larry McMurtry and Diana Ossana)
• ACADEMY AWARD NOMINATIONS - Best Motion Picture of the Year (Diana Ossana and James Schamus), Best Achievement in Cinematography (Rodrigo Prieto), Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role (Heath Ledger), Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role (Jake Gyllenhaal), and Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role (Michelle Williams)
• GOLDEN GLOBES - Best Director - Motion Picture (Ang Lee), Best Motion Picture (Drama), Best Original Song - Motion Picture (Gustavo Santaolalla and Bernie Taupin for "A Love That Will Never Grow Old"), Best Screenplay - Motion Picture (Larry McMurtry and Diana Ossana)
• GOLDEN GLOBE NOMINATIONS - Best Original Score - Motion Picture (Gustavo Santaolalla), Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama (Heath Ledger), Best Performance by an Acress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture (Michelle Williams)