Brokeback Mountain: The Filter's verdict

Jake Gylenhall in Brokeback Mountain

Brokeback Mountain is one of those films that the film world needs very now and then: those films that everyone loves and few dare to say express a completely contrary opinion lest they sound like spoilsports.

It has its merits:

It shows the true consequence of homophobia: loneliness and violence;

It queers imagery normally associated with staunchily heterosexual values: Marlboro country imagery, masculinity and a type of very middle class 'prestige' type of film, of which director Ang Lee has become the main doyen.

the acting is good, although not as 'amazing' as drooling critics have been shouting about.


But:

A more realistic, less wall-papery style would have suited the subject matter better; there's a discrepancy between content and form;

This is supposed to be a love story and one that survives two decades; it is not convincing that those two men feel something so strong;

Although homophobia exists and is murderous, can we have a gay film where love is fully realised? It's too easy to carry on showing suffering and non-events;

And it's quite boring (by which I don't mean 'slow') and too 'understated', verging on Merchant Ivory fare.