Finally saw Brokeback Mountain last night. I had it for some time; but somehow never got around to seeing it, y'day after discussing it on gtalk with a friend decided to see it myself & judge this oscar winner.
Got 3 things to say about it:
1. Vastly Overrated, very american in it's approach on homosexuality.
2. Great Cinematography especially at the beginning of the movie which is actually on the mountains. (lots of sheep)
3. Was surprised to see Larry McMurtry & Diana Ossana as the screenplay writers.
I've read many books written by them over the years; some memorable ones like Lonesome Dove, Dead Man's Walk, Streets of Laredo, Comanche Moon. These were all wonderful reads.
Some of these have been made into TV Series by Hallmark - I remember watching Lonesome Dove & Streets of Laredo........many years after I'd read the books. The characters in most of these novels were ones who stayed with you long after the book was over.
I guess that was one of the reason the movie was so disappointing; you felt no empathy for any of the characters, they are simply not developed enough. The women in their lives are added on just to carry on the story over a period of the next 20 odd years. Except for Ennis's wife Alma who learns early on in their marriage about her husband's lover; the rest of the family members including Jack's wife are all typical caricatures represented in movies...the dominating father in law, pampered son, new lover (neighboring cowboy he meets at a party)
The viewer never gets to know any of them, so you feel nothing for any of the characters including the central ones. I just felt relief at the end of the movie.......thank god it's over.
Though the movie was supposed to showcase a time when homosexuality was pretty much in the closet & very tabboo, I don't think that things are very different in America even today. There are plenty of men who still get married & have kids even though they are gay. Except for cities where acceptance is higher; smaller communities are still places where gays are not welcome.
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