Brokeback Mountain
Those of us who have labeled Brokeback Mountain as “the gay cowboy love story� have it wrong—Dead Wrong. It’s not a movie about cowboys. It’s not a love story. It’s not even a movie about gay men. Instead, it’s a movie about a subject that haunts all of us regardless of gender, culture, spiritual beliefs or sexual orientation.
It’s a film about isolation.
Ennis Del Mar (Heath Ledger) has sold his mind, body and soul to the evil spirit of isolation. His life is plagued by what his wife Alma (Michelle Williams) refers to as “all that loneliness.� His isolation is captured in his posture, his body language, and especially in his heavily mumbled voice. He is truly detached from not only the world, but from his very soul.
When Ennis meets Jack Twist (Jake Gyllenhaal) on that fateful mountain, and Jack continuously presses him to engage in some sort of conversation, his isolated world is threatened. Jack possesses a force that is pushing Ennis, luring him and calling after him. Contrary to popular belief, that force is not lust, as many folks in both the Christian and secular media have perceived after witnessing the cold and blustery night in which their bodies—and souls—are joined together. The force that is drawing Ennis to Jack is the one thing that Ennis has lacked for all of his life: the desire for Connection.
That’s our #1 God-given need: Connection. Our souls desperately long for Vertical Connection (with God/Jesus Christ) and Horizontal Connection (with one another). To ignore the pursuit of either connection leads to life that is characterized by isolation and withdrawal—which ultimately opens our souls to a myriad of temptations from the evil one. The stuff that Paul lists in 1 Corinthians 6:9-10—which disqualifies ALL OF US from inheriting God’s kingdom—is rooted and grounded in our willful decision to forsake Vertical and Horizontal Connection and to dwell in isolation. This film has reignited the oft-debated subject of homosexuality and its (unofficial) standing as The Most Sinful of All Sins. One could use this argument to label homosexuality as a result of a lack of Vertical and Horizontal connection. But as we go down Paul’s/Christ’s list, we can conclude that our own self hatred and inferiority towards our neighbors and competitors (slander), our lust for money, power and prestige (greed), our narcissism and worship of material things (idolatry), an endless stream of corporate scandals that rob hardworking people of their hard earned money (swindlers), the destruction of families at the hands of divorce (adultery), and living in a society where at the click of a button, we can download the latest Jenna Jameson movie are by-products of the same lack of Connection. If we tell the truth, all of us know full well that we need Connection like fish need water to survive. If we tell a bigger truth, we’ll admit that we’re too damn scared to go after Connection. So we settle for other things… like slander, greed, idolatry and sexual immorality.
Whatever our sins may be, they’re all rooted and grounded in our inability to pursue Vertical and Horizontal Connection.
Ennis Del Mar settled for a disconnected, empty marriage that is merely a substitute for what he feels is the real thing. He freely gave his body to his wife, but nothing more. During one of their love scenes, Ennis even tries to replicate the same manner of physical connection that he had up on the Mountain with Jack but to very different results. Shortly thereafter, via a postcard, the “real thing� is reintroduced back into Ennis’s life—and explained to his wife as Jack being an old “fishing buddy.� We see Ennis incredibly anxious and fidgety as he waits for Jack to arrive at his apartment. When Jack’s beat up Ford truck pulls up, Ennis barrels downstairs with the anticipation of a 6-year old on Christmas morning where the two old friends hug—then embrace—then proceed to a hidden corner where they reignite their Horizontal Connection with the fury of two speeding freight trains colliding head on. It is then that we discover the first victim of their “collision�: Ennis’s wife Alma. The shock and awe that is displayed on Michelle Williams’s face alone is worthy of a Supporting Actress Oscar nomination; her subsequent journey into a chasm of deception, betrayal and pain becomes supporting evidence of why the Academy should remember her performance.
Back on that fateful mountain, Jack gives Ennis a golden opportunity to make their Horizontal Connection permanently secure. He proposes that they buy a ranch, get some horses and sheep, and live forever connected. Ennis refuses, citing his marriage, and the fear of being “outed,� as excuses to continue to live in the abyss of his own isolation and disconnection. The years pass on, Jack gets married, Ennis gets divorced and eventually hooks up with another woman—with his spirit of isolation guiding him every step of the way. That isolation ultimately destroys his new relationship as well as putting a strain on the relationship between him and his oldest daughter. But the two men still make their annual Reconnecting Summit at Brokeback Mountain. After years of these pilgrimages, Jack gives Ennis an ultimatum, one last chance to break the cycle of isolation by fulfilling their dream of being together. Ennis, once again, forsakes his need for Connection and the two men never see each other again. Ultimately, a tragic event forces Ennis to come to grips with his own isolation and, through the marriage of his daughter, he makes a small, yet bold step to come out of the abyss of isolation and into the realm of Connection.
While the theme of isolation struck a major chord within my soul—as I continue to struggle with the spirit of isolation in my own life and the sin by-products of my decision—I strongly disagree with the mainstream critics’ view of this film being a “landmark love story.� I never got a real sense of Ennis and Jack being truly in love with each other. Their "love" was hardly a “force of nature� as the film's tagline states. As I mentioned throughout this review, I think that Ennis was trapped in his own isolation while Jack, on the other hand, was more driven toward the aforementioned “substitutes� for connection—mainly sexual immorality. I just did not buy into the “love story� that is suggested by the film’s marketing. The classic love stories of cinema all feature deep connections by their given protagonists. In those stories, it’s the love that drives and motivates the characters, not the other stuff. In this film, our protagonists are clearly driven by other things… but love is not one of them.
Some of you may be shocked that ended up seeing the film after I stated in the roundtable that I wasn’t going to see the film because I was fearful of seeing its sexuality displayed on screen. In retrospect, I realize that my fears were driven by the same sort of hysteria that has folks believing that the Harry Potter movies are going to drive children headlong into witchcraft. We are so quick to pass judgment on a work of art based solely on what we’ve heard someone else say instead of having the guts to investigate for ourselves. The fact is that, while some scenes between Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal do feature intense sexual situations, there are also HETEROSEXUAL sex scenes that are just as intense. In addition, the film DOES NOT show Ledger and Gyllenhaal hopping in bed with each other every 15 minutes either. Other films such as Wedding Crashers, the American Pie films, The 40 Year Old Virgin and even the Austin Powers films contain much more intense sexual content than this film does. Listening to the media had me believing otherwise. But I never would have known this had I not seen for myself. I am very thankful to God for giving me the spirit and the courage to judge for myself instead of other peoples' hearsay. I also want to thank fellow HJ staffers Elisabeth Leitch and Mike Furches for seeing the film with me and helping to get over my unfounded (and ultimately silly) fears and trepidations.
In the end, Brokeback Mountain just may walk away with the Best Picture Oscar. I don’t think it deserves it… in fact, I think the film is one of the most overrated films I’ve ever seen. But it’s definitely not to be ignored. A landmark love story? I think not. An intriguing case study of the damage caused by a lifetime spent forsaking Connection? A definite yes.
It’s a film about isolation.
Ennis Del Mar (Heath Ledger) has sold his mind, body and soul to the evil spirit of isolation. His life is plagued by what his wife Alma (Michelle Williams) refers to as “all that loneliness.� His isolation is captured in his posture, his body language, and especially in his heavily mumbled voice. He is truly detached from not only the world, but from his very soul.
When Ennis meets Jack Twist (Jake Gyllenhaal) on that fateful mountain, and Jack continuously presses him to engage in some sort of conversation, his isolated world is threatened. Jack possesses a force that is pushing Ennis, luring him and calling after him. Contrary to popular belief, that force is not lust, as many folks in both the Christian and secular media have perceived after witnessing the cold and blustery night in which their bodies—and souls—are joined together. The force that is drawing Ennis to Jack is the one thing that Ennis has lacked for all of his life: the desire for Connection.
That’s our #1 God-given need: Connection. Our souls desperately long for Vertical Connection (with God/Jesus Christ) and Horizontal Connection (with one another). To ignore the pursuit of either connection leads to life that is characterized by isolation and withdrawal—which ultimately opens our souls to a myriad of temptations from the evil one. The stuff that Paul lists in 1 Corinthians 6:9-10—which disqualifies ALL OF US from inheriting God’s kingdom—is rooted and grounded in our willful decision to forsake Vertical and Horizontal Connection and to dwell in isolation. This film has reignited the oft-debated subject of homosexuality and its (unofficial) standing as The Most Sinful of All Sins. One could use this argument to label homosexuality as a result of a lack of Vertical and Horizontal connection. But as we go down Paul’s/Christ’s list, we can conclude that our own self hatred and inferiority towards our neighbors and competitors (slander), our lust for money, power and prestige (greed), our narcissism and worship of material things (idolatry), an endless stream of corporate scandals that rob hardworking people of their hard earned money (swindlers), the destruction of families at the hands of divorce (adultery), and living in a society where at the click of a button, we can download the latest Jenna Jameson movie are by-products of the same lack of Connection. If we tell the truth, all of us know full well that we need Connection like fish need water to survive. If we tell a bigger truth, we’ll admit that we’re too damn scared to go after Connection. So we settle for other things… like slander, greed, idolatry and sexual immorality.
Whatever our sins may be, they’re all rooted and grounded in our inability to pursue Vertical and Horizontal Connection.
Ennis Del Mar settled for a disconnected, empty marriage that is merely a substitute for what he feels is the real thing. He freely gave his body to his wife, but nothing more. During one of their love scenes, Ennis even tries to replicate the same manner of physical connection that he had up on the Mountain with Jack but to very different results. Shortly thereafter, via a postcard, the “real thing� is reintroduced back into Ennis’s life—and explained to his wife as Jack being an old “fishing buddy.� We see Ennis incredibly anxious and fidgety as he waits for Jack to arrive at his apartment. When Jack’s beat up Ford truck pulls up, Ennis barrels downstairs with the anticipation of a 6-year old on Christmas morning where the two old friends hug—then embrace—then proceed to a hidden corner where they reignite their Horizontal Connection with the fury of two speeding freight trains colliding head on. It is then that we discover the first victim of their “collision�: Ennis’s wife Alma. The shock and awe that is displayed on Michelle Williams’s face alone is worthy of a Supporting Actress Oscar nomination; her subsequent journey into a chasm of deception, betrayal and pain becomes supporting evidence of why the Academy should remember her performance.
Back on that fateful mountain, Jack gives Ennis a golden opportunity to make their Horizontal Connection permanently secure. He proposes that they buy a ranch, get some horses and sheep, and live forever connected. Ennis refuses, citing his marriage, and the fear of being “outed,� as excuses to continue to live in the abyss of his own isolation and disconnection. The years pass on, Jack gets married, Ennis gets divorced and eventually hooks up with another woman—with his spirit of isolation guiding him every step of the way. That isolation ultimately destroys his new relationship as well as putting a strain on the relationship between him and his oldest daughter. But the two men still make their annual Reconnecting Summit at Brokeback Mountain. After years of these pilgrimages, Jack gives Ennis an ultimatum, one last chance to break the cycle of isolation by fulfilling their dream of being together. Ennis, once again, forsakes his need for Connection and the two men never see each other again. Ultimately, a tragic event forces Ennis to come to grips with his own isolation and, through the marriage of his daughter, he makes a small, yet bold step to come out of the abyss of isolation and into the realm of Connection.
While the theme of isolation struck a major chord within my soul—as I continue to struggle with the spirit of isolation in my own life and the sin by-products of my decision—I strongly disagree with the mainstream critics’ view of this film being a “landmark love story.� I never got a real sense of Ennis and Jack being truly in love with each other. Their "love" was hardly a “force of nature� as the film's tagline states. As I mentioned throughout this review, I think that Ennis was trapped in his own isolation while Jack, on the other hand, was more driven toward the aforementioned “substitutes� for connection—mainly sexual immorality. I just did not buy into the “love story� that is suggested by the film’s marketing. The classic love stories of cinema all feature deep connections by their given protagonists. In those stories, it’s the love that drives and motivates the characters, not the other stuff. In this film, our protagonists are clearly driven by other things… but love is not one of them.
Some of you may be shocked that ended up seeing the film after I stated in the roundtable that I wasn’t going to see the film because I was fearful of seeing its sexuality displayed on screen. In retrospect, I realize that my fears were driven by the same sort of hysteria that has folks believing that the Harry Potter movies are going to drive children headlong into witchcraft. We are so quick to pass judgment on a work of art based solely on what we’ve heard someone else say instead of having the guts to investigate for ourselves. The fact is that, while some scenes between Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal do feature intense sexual situations, there are also HETEROSEXUAL sex scenes that are just as intense. In addition, the film DOES NOT show Ledger and Gyllenhaal hopping in bed with each other every 15 minutes either. Other films such as Wedding Crashers, the American Pie films, The 40 Year Old Virgin and even the Austin Powers films contain much more intense sexual content than this film does. Listening to the media had me believing otherwise. But I never would have known this had I not seen for myself. I am very thankful to God for giving me the spirit and the courage to judge for myself instead of other peoples' hearsay. I also want to thank fellow HJ staffers Elisabeth Leitch and Mike Furches for seeing the film with me and helping to get over my unfounded (and ultimately silly) fears and trepidations.
In the end, Brokeback Mountain just may walk away with the Best Picture Oscar. I don’t think it deserves it… in fact, I think the film is one of the most overrated films I’ve ever seen. But it’s definitely not to be ignored. A landmark love story? I think not. An intriguing case study of the damage caused by a lifetime spent forsaking Connection? A definite yes.
21 Comments:
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A great review and I agree, you brought a great deal of insite into the story that I appreciate. What a great experience to see the movie with you and Elizabeth.
I agree with the park ranger and the angry-looking bald man. Great review! I can tell you put a lot of thought and prayer into this one. Keep it up!
Chris you are so open and honest. Thank you
I agree with Louis, -and I want to also say that you are always fresh thanks for being back on the board you add a dimension that 11ke. I think I will go see the movie after all -- I was wondering about the film I think I was like you, the movie didn't at first appeal to me. Now 1 will see it You helped me with me bias.
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I liked what you had to say about isolation and needing connection. Don't you think that the sexualization of love—and our growing cultural acceptance of it—is gradually making valid, chaste love between two men or two women harder and harder to accomplish?
Gail
Gail: Very Very Good Point!
As I said in my review, one of the things we subsitute for true, genuine love is sex. Our society really doesn't know the difference between the two anymore. Therefore both "love" and "sex" have become increasingly synonomous - yet ambiguous, without boundaries, and far beyond Biblical definitions.
Some of us are so weak that we'll readily drop our pants at the mere utterance of that word - even though the person displays little to no evidence of the Love Criteria listed in 1 Corinthians 13.
Addressing your point, others of us who have never known the fullness of Connection will see the Connection shared by two men or two women and mockingly assume that they are in a secret sexual relationship. I was plagued by that kind of mocking and rumors all throughout my college days because of my very close relationship with my roommate.
I personally don't find the "valid, chaste love" that you speak of hard to accomplish in my own life because I've experienced that and I know other men who've experienced that also. The men whom I call "brothers" are ones with whom I've exprienced the Horizontal Connection that I discuss in my review. Our relationships mimic the interaction shared by Ennis & Jack in this film - as well as David and Jonathan's relationship in the Old Testament (1 Samuel 18: 1-4, 1 Samuel 20: 16-17). I often tell my brothers that I love them. We've had moments where we've cried together and held one another. But those relationships have never entered into a sexual realm. We've never even had the temptation to cross beyond that boundary - not because we follow Society's standards, but because we follow God's standards.
At the same time, I've experienced Horizontal Connection with female friends as well. In those instances, I HAVE fought the temptation to sexualize those relationships. But, with God's help, I refrain those thoughts and restrain my actions, because I choose to follow His standards.
it has often bothered me that the heads of my congregants seem like they are going to fall off their shoulders as they bob them in agreement whenever i condemn homosexuality from the pulpit BUT they sit in silence when i mention heterosexual adultery! we can be so self-righteous...
however, i will not be seeing brokeback mountain (just as i did not see the afore-mentioned wedding crashers, american pie, or even austin powers) the reasons being the 22 "f' words, the full frontal nudity, and the two times we are treated to bear-breasted women...
every christian needs to make their own minds up about this, and i dont mean to cast judgment on someone without the same convictions as i have about this issue...i just feel its important that guys like me (who happen to sinfully enojoy the sight of a naked woman!) know exactly what they are getting themselves into.
Thanks, Pastor Scott, for being a good example of honesty. Thanks also for stating your own personal convictions without insulting the convictions of others.
I've started thinking of Brokeback Mountain the way I see the Mona Lisa-- sometimes I think it truly is an incredible painting, other times I think, "it's just a portrait of a woman." I actually think the painting's subtleties produce both responses in me. The same seems to be true, for me, of Brokeback.
I was deeply affected by Ennis and Jack's relationship, and despite the characters' high levels of emototional dysfunction (not atypical in the world I don't think) I was convinced of their love.
I agree with Chris's take on Ennis's self-forced isolation and its negative effects. God is not the author of fear, which was the emotion that influenced many of Ennis's choices. I got the impression that both Jack and Ennis were doing the best they could with what they had to work with. There was nothing they could have changed to make their situation any easier. Ultimately, this was not just a love story, but the only thing Hollywood loves even more--an unrequited love story.
In this film, Lee seems to rely on marginlized details to carry big parts of the plot--we don't get lots of dialogue to help us see the formation of their relationship, but distant shots of their riding or views of them wishing the other were with them. In the scene with Jack's dad and Ennis the entire scene is carried by Ennis's flaring nose and clenching jaw. Did you notice the fingernail polish on the side of Lureen's finger and her smoke-stained teeth when she was on the phone with Ennis? And the immediate stopping of the wall fan in the trailor when Randy Quaid's character see Jack walks in to ask if Ennis has come back?
Ennis and Jack had to hide so much of themselves and rely so much on the most subtle communications to keep their love alive and safe, while other couples around them were "free to move about the cabin." Because of this, it seemed appropriate to me that Lee moved typcially background details and subtleties to the foreground.
Worth the hype? Not sure any movie would be worth THAT much hype. But I thought it was excellent. Seeing it twice helped.
Hi,
Your basic point about isolation vs. connection with another human being is *really* borne out in Annie Proulx's story - though the full force of it doesn't hit home until the ending.
I haven't seen the movie (and am not sure if I will), but I'd strongly recommend the original story to anyone who'd like to find out more about the characters - though sexual desire is depicted as a strong force (and in no-nonsense words that may offend some), the bottom line is not about sex.
I think we always need to bear that in mind when dealing with others, especially those who are struggling with sexual sin, be it heterosexual or homosexual.
Thanks for your extremely thoughtful review!
e.c.
Hi All,
I've been disappointed by Hollywood movies and how they portray love; gay or straight. Brokeback mountain is being billed as a love movie. Most people who defend the movie agree with the studio synopsis that it is a love story. Here's my beef: It's insulting that this movie passes as a love story.
Is adultery and lying a "testament to the endurance of love" (as the synopsis claims)? The main characters are selfish, cruel and harmful to their wives AND EACH other. They're equally selfish to everyone. Love isn't cruel and self serving.
Oh and I also didn't like the English Patient (an adulterous "love" story with straight folks). Cheating isn't love. Lust and infatuation isn't love. Am I the only one that thinks Hollywood has taken a spiral turn into the toliet? One more thing. Art is okay, I'm not against this movie on an "artistic" stand point. My beef, to be clear, is that this is being billed as a modern day love story, when it's really a profile in the mind of an adulterer.
I came from Hollywood Jesus! I enjoyed your review - I think it captures pretty much how I felt about the movie. I also thought it was overrated and found the love story unconvincing. My housemate thought it was absolutely wonderful though, so that's life, eh? But I agree, it was more about isolation than about love. (It also makes me pleased that films like Pride and Prejudice can still be made, where the two main characters can get to know each other instead of jumping into bed.... ick!)
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My beef, to be clear, is that this is being billed as a modern day love story, when it's really a profile in the mind of an adulterer.
I disagree. The issue in this film runs deeper than mere adultery. It's important to understand not only a person's actions, but why the person commits the actions. That's why the film was disappointing to me. The film clearly explains (at least to me) why Ennis behaved the way he did - his wall of isolation and that Jack Twist was the only person to break through that wall.
However, we don't get a similar explanation for Jack. We are not brought in deeper into his personal story. Honestly, all I saw was a guy who likes guys. We are not told why his attraction exists. To be even more honest, Jack's "love" for Ennis looks more like sexual addiction. There's an old R&B song from 10-15 years ago called "Love Should've Brought You Home Last Night". In the case of this story, "Love" should have kept Jack away from that back alley in Mexico (those who've seen the film know what I'm talking about). "Love" would not have invited the other guy to Jack's ranch for "the weekend".
In spite of this, audiences and critics are hailing this film as a landmark love story. All that praise is exposing the bloody honest truth about ourselves - that, perhaps, we don't really know what love is at all.
hi
i know this will sound dull, but do you think Jesus would go to see this movie? or any movie that blatantly, exlicitly and proudly portrays any type of adultery (homosexuality or/and heterosexuality) in it?
i just don't see the benefit of art unless people are drawn closer to God through it.
i'm not a super spiritual woman and i'm definitely a sinner. i'm not seeing myself as more righteous than anyone.
i just don't see how a christian can recommend a movie that explicitly shows non-marriage sex, period.
how can it do anyone any good at all?
if a movie wants to portray a message it can do it in other ways. i desire to understand others and others' cultures better but i don't want to see their sin in a movie.
part of me wants to see it just cuz i'm curious and cuz i want to connect with the people who don't connect. but i think it wiser not to see it.
i want to be full of the Holy Spirit! how can i be full of Him if i put those types of images into my mind?
i don't mean to be trite and i have friends who are or have been homosexual. their struggles are legit.
but i can't endorse this website encouraging people to see this "wonderful" film, and a critic happy that he went cuz it proves something.
i don't think it proves anything.
i know this will sound dull, but do you think Jesus would go to see this movie? or any movie that blatantly, exlicitly and proudly portrays any type of adultery (homosexuality or/and heterosexuality) in it?
Yes...assuming talking about the same Jesus who hung out with drunkards, prositutes, tax collectors (considered to be the scum of the earth during His lifetime). I think He would have seen this film, dropped a parable on the audience after the movie was over, and the whole audience would have been mystified by His words and compelled to change their lives.
i just don't see how a christian can recommend a movie that explicitly shows non-marriage sex, period.
Please reread my review. Nowhere in it do I recommend or endorse the film to others. As I said, I thought the film was overrated.
part of me wants to see it just cuz i'm curious and cuz i want to connect with the people who don't connect. but i think it wiser not to see it. i want to be full of the Holy Spirit! how can i be full of Him if i put those types of images into my mind?
It's a matter of personal conviction, my sister. I understand your struggle. In my review and on the Roundtable Discussion, I mentioned that I had a similar struggle to yours. At first I wasn't planning on seeing the film at all. But after praying about it...and being wise enough to take 2 others who work with me at Hollywood Jesus - and are strong in their faith - I decided to see it. When I saw the film, I saw a much deeper struggle than homosexuality - and that's what I focused my review upon.
...i can't endorse this website encouraging people to see this "wonderful" film, and a critic happy that he went cuz it proves something.i don't think it proves anything.
Once again, I never called the film "wonderful". But, yes, I am glad that I saw the film. It was one of the greatest experiences of my life. Why? Because my experience with "Brokeback Mountain" was centered around Jesus Christ. This film challenged me to truly walk in Christ's footsteps and to see the story the way He would see it.
Everyone makes a big ruckus about sin (rightfully so). But, in the midst of all of our ruckus, we condemn the people who commit the sin. Even worse, we turn our noses in the air at people who reach out to sinners...just like the Pharisees who accused Him when He reached out to the woman caught in adultery. He didn't excuse her sins (hence His final words to her "Go and sin no more"). But He looked deeper into the condition of her heart and showed her compassion (hence His previous statement of forgiveness).
In my experience with this film, I have been able to walk as He did with the adulterous woman. I don't excuse or condone the acts shown in the film in any way, shape or form. But I will not condemn the film solely because those acts were shown on screen. Instead, I look beyond the surface of what was shown. My review is simply synopsis of what I saw beyond the surface. To the fictional characters in the film - as well as their real life counterparts (both homosexual and hetrosexuals who struggle with Isolation and Disconnection) I offer compassion.
...after all, isn't that What Jesus Would Do?
Hey Chris, little note to the last person making comment about do we think that Jesus would go to a movie like this. Short answer is, is Jesus not there already?
I just saw the movie again and posted the following on my blog, thought you might find it of interest.
I just returned from viewing Brokeback Mountain for the second time, this time with my wife. I have to say I was moved more this time for whatever reason. I noticed much of the obvious that I commented on in my initial review, and then some. For example, I didn’t notice the first time that we only see much of the right side of Ennis’s face. This due in large to the fact that Heath Ledger has had his left ear pierced and the pierce holes show up rather easily. Something that was not typical with Cowboys in the 60’s or even for that matter even today. All of the technical things aside I got more out of the story this time.
Truth is, in a lot of ways, Chris is exactly right in his take on the movie. It is a truly sad story that again, moved me several times, especially the end scenes. If doing it over again, I would have given a higher rating than I gave on my initial review. I still think the movie is over hyped and not as good as many proclaim it to be, but it is still nonetheless a quality movie. The cinematography is outstanding and the story of friendship and the need of friendship is powerful. I would go so far as to say that for those that had trouble with it the first time, to watch it again, see if you enjoy the movie and story more the second time. My wife even liked the movie and my daughter loved it. The second viewing gave me more of what I wanted with the first viewing, more of a understanding of people who happen to be gay, and more of a desire to befriend and show them the love that they, as does every human, long for, and need.
Anonymous, I can feel more for the struggle you must be going through. I’ll be praying for you, for the struggle that Ennis went through is a sad and difficult struggle. I wish I had answers for you, I really do, but truth is I don’t. What I can do is state that if you ever want to talk, or express how you are feeling, or maybe even just have someone pray for you, to let me know. Email me at mike@furches.org I keep those contacts confidential and appreciate the fact that God can use me to share his love with someone else, even in the tough times. I’ll also say to one who read the review earlier and emailed me, I accidentally lost the email address of one individual who contacted me. I really did want to respond to you, please email me again, I promise that no matter what I am doing, as soon as I get the email, I’ll respond to you.
I agree with you that the film is largely about isolation and finding a way to mitigate that isolation by finding a connection with another human being. However, I must disagree with you that the film is not a love story. I'm at a loss as to how anyone could not perceive the relationship between these two men as genuine affection. I don't know if my background prejudiced me in favor of it, or your background prejudiced you against it. Perhaps the two actors' performances just really weren't as good as I thought they were, or maybe they were just too subtle, (not necessarily a fault; I'd rather have to strain to discern a film's message than have it shouted at me).
Anyway, thank you for actually giving the film a chance. I'd encourage everyone who calls themselves "Christian" to do the same.
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