My review SPOILER
I finally saw it this weekend BY MYSELF since the people I kept making plans with to see it flaked on me. I do prefer to go to the movies with other people because I love to discuss it after but if I really want to see something and can't find anybody I don't have a problem going alone.
My initial thoughts are that is was not the masterpiece that I had hoped, however it was one of the best films I've seen in quite a while. I kept describing this film as "the gay cowboy movie" but after seeing it I'd prefer to describe it as a love story and leave the gay part out. I must comment Ang Lee - his direction was impeccable. The cinematography was also amazing! I need to get out of the city more! Heath Ledger was by far the star. I could feel his loneliness and desperation and I will never look at him the same again. The way he was able to convey emotion without saying a world was spectacular! He seriously deserves an Oscar. Any my God is he sexy! Michelle Williams, also amazing. How did she have the strength to stay with him for all those years after seeing the kiss? Must have been terribly painful. I love the way she finally brought it up to him on Thanksgiving with the fishing pole bit. Brilliant! Wasn't their daughter Jr. beautiful?
For anyone to say they were living a lie is ignorant. Was it not apparent by the end of the movie this lifestyle was completely unacceptable at that particular place and time? In an ideal world they would have bought a ranch and lived as queens happily ever after but the whole point was THE COULDN'T! I'm so glad this movie has gotten so much publicity and I really hope a lot of straight people see it. If it affects one person's point of view on homosexuality it was worth it. Love is love, no matter if you are gay or straight. I live here in Los Angeles where it's totally acceptable to be gay and I surround myself with people who feel the same but I know in other parts of the country it is still frowned upon. I hope it reaches these people. Am I silly to think a movie can change people's minds and question what they have been taught to think is wrong all their lives? I truly hope not.
I usually cry at movies, especially love stories or anything involving death but I did not shed a tear and I can't explain why. I'm really shocked. I would have expected tears but oh well. As I said I wasn't quite as moved as I thought I would be. As sad as it was that they could not fulfill their lives together they are still lucky to have ever had a love like that at all. "It is better to have love and lost than to not have loved at all". Would you say most people ever experience a love that intense?
It did put me in the mood to put on a cowboy hat and go to a western bar and do some 2-stepping. Who's in?
|