Just found this enthusiastic review on Amazon, and was willing to share it with you all:
Reviews Written by
Pyotr Rusakova "writer" (Washington, DC, USA)
The Unforgettable Masterpiece of Our Era, March 26, 2006
To miss out on seeing "Brokeback Mountain" is to miss out on the most brilliantly-made miracle of a movie ever made. It is a story that every person on earth can relate to - and will feel a kinship with.
The story is so real, you will relate to it immediately, no matter who you are. We have all known these characters, and as a result, we know that what we are seeing is real. What we are seeing is actually every day life - things in OUR OWN world - which is why the tragedy of the story has such a tremendous impact upon everyone who sees it. The fact that Jack & Ennis are cowboys is inconsequential; this story takes place with different characters across the globe, in Wyoming, in Kenya, in Nepal, in Poland, in Uruguay...
I recommend that you see this film at LEAST twice. Even if you do not blink throughout the movie, you will miss things if you only see it once. Ang Lee has packed so many details into every frame that it is impossible to pick up on everyone in one viewing.
Books and doctoral dissertations will be written about this film. There is THAT MUCH brilliance put into it. The comparisons to Homer's Aeneid and to Plato's Banquet, the yin and yang of Ennis driving across the mountainous expanse in one direction at the beginning of the film and then riding in the other direction at the end, the meaning of the color blue in the film, the astonishing camera-work in the final scene between Jack and Ennis, the stunning scene in which Ennis discovers the shirts in Jack's bedroom, and so much more will be written about and studied for decades to come.
"Brokeback" is a must-see also for at least 7 of the most brilliant acting performances ever put on film. Heath Ledger's career and life will be transformed forever by the unforgettable brilliance of his portrayal of Ennis. Even author Annie Proulx has indicated that Ledger understoof Ennis better than she did, and she created the character! Jake Gyllenhaal and Michelle Williams also moved into the Big Leagues of Acting with their brilliant performances, which will delight and haunt you. Anne Hathaway is superb as the beautiful gal who becomes more blonde and stilted with every year of her loveless marriage. The actors who play Jack's parents will leave you stunned with the perfection of their brief yet terrifying look into the world of the Twist family, and Linda Cardellini is extraordinary in her role.
The film is very true to the story. I highly recommend that you read the story before seeing the film. It will greatly enhance your understanding of what takes place.
Everyone who sees "Brokeback Mountain" is haunted by it for days. Prepare for an unforgettable experience. You will be a better person for it.
