Brokeback Mountain Review and Response

[JazmenFlowers]

hopefully, I will finally see this movie tomorrow night and will be able to join the conversations here

can you believe they are showing it here?

[dissention]

Originally Posted by Brwn_eyes0511

Also, Josh did you happen to see the previews for upcoming shows...Anderson is going to be on soon.

Yes. I taped it because I was out all day and when I saw it, I jumped. Footage of early, floppy-haired Andy. Looks like Lisa Ling is going to be on the same show, too. Channel One reunion!!

And OMG!! I!! COULD!! PEE!!

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/boo...61132381&itm=4

[estranged4life]

Originally Posted by JazmenFlowers

hopefully, I will finally see this movie tomorrow night and will be able to join the conversations here

can you believe they are showing it here?

it isnt showing anywhere around here...And it WONT ever be in this town (The oldest movie theatre in Oklahoma's history refuses to show it due to "local religious pressures"...Kinda strange when they just finished showing a week long run of "Hostel" and noone complained).

Maybe in 2 weeks we'll see it in OKC ("Brokeback Mountain" is behind "Underworld:Evolution" in movies Deb & myself want to see....She likes Heath Ledger, I like Kate Beckingsale)

Brian "Resident of unyielding insensitive relig-a-tard hick town..." j.

[dissention]

Originally Posted by estranged4life

Kinda strange when they just finished showing a week long run of "Hostel" and noone complained

I was dragged to see that **** movie after saying I didn't really care to see it and felt physically sick while watching it. If pressed, I wouldn't be able to name one redeeming factor about it. ****ing putrid.

[BombaySapphire3]

Originally Posted by stargazer99

I also didn't know, going in, how believable I'd find the aging of the characters. But it was very well done. As they got older, I never felt like I was watching young actors playing older characters.

Sparky mentioned in his original post that the makeup bothered him. But I actually thought the makeup was very well done. They gave Heath a weathered look as he aged... like his skin was getting more leathery from working out in the sun and wind.

The aging makeup on Heath in particular is one thing I found very realistic.Believe me I don't have to look any farther than the nearest mirror to see exactly how a 40ish white guy that spent time in the sun and the wind should look either,

[JazmenFlowers]

Originally Posted by estranged4life

it isnt showing anywhere around here...And it WONT ever be in this town (The oldest movie theatre in Oklahoma's history refuses to show it due to "local religious pressures"...Kinda strange when they just finished showing a week long run of "Hostel" and noone complained).

Maybe in 2 weeks we'll see it in OKC ("Brokeback Mountain" is behind "Underworld:Evolution" in movies Deb & myself want to see....She likes Heath Ledger, I like Kate Beckingsale)

Brian "Resident of unyielding insensitive relig-a-tard hick town..." j.

Underworld Evolution is freaking amazing. I'm a huge fan of the first and watch it about once every couple weeks. The sequel is just as good.

[sparky]

Originally Posted by stargazer99

I finally saw this movie tonight. It was every bit as incredible as I've heard.

I have to admit, I had a little trouble getting into it at first. It does move slow at the beginning. But once I got into it, I was totally sucked in.

I thought all four of the young actors (Heath, Jake, Michelle and Anne) were incredible! I haven't been able to get out to the movies much the past couple years, and haven't seen any of the other Oscar nominated actors' performances. So I have nothing to compare Heath's performance to. But he was absolutely incredible in this movie. I really could feel what his character was going through. Michelle Williams was really good as well. What I wasn't expecting though was how good Anne Hathaway was. I loved her character! She didn't have a huge part in the movie, but when she was on screen, I thought she did an incredible job.

I also didn't know, going in, how believable I'd find the aging of the characters. But it was very well done. As they got older, I never felt like I was watching young actors playing older characters.

Sparky mentioned in his original post that the makeup bothered him. But I actually thought the makeup was very well done. They gave Heath a weathered look as he aged... like his skin was getting more leathery from working out in the sun and wind. And there was a scene late in the movie where Anne's character is on the phone. I started noticing that her front teeth had red in between. I was wondering what was up with that. Then I realized her red nail polish was very chipped, and she had some little red spots that almost looked like blood on her fingers. It dawned on me that the character had been biting her nails, and the red on her fingers and teeth was the nail polish! I know this all sounds kind of irrelevent to even mention, but, without giving too much away to those who haven't seen the movie yet, I thought that bit of detail added something to that particular scene.

While I was really drawn into the movie, I was pretty composed through most of it. The part where I started to get a teary eyed was when they got into the fight about November and Mexico. (Again, don't want to give too much away to those who haven't seen it yet.) That scene really grabbed my gut. Then, of course, the shirt. That's when I totally lost it.

It was a very beautiful movie, and incredibly emotional. I'm glad I finally got to see it.

Mary I am so glad you saw it and thrilled that you enjoyed it.

The only quibbles I had with the makeup on Heath were in the diner scene and the last scene that the old age makeup is actually kind of flaking off around his crow's feet. That happens with spirit gum after many hours, and with other quickie old age tricks. Also, his sideburns in the scene at the house at the end, and the diner, show a distinct dark line where they are glued on. I thought that was sloppy and not needed - it was a cheap trick with brush on makeup to hide a glue line. If they had used a lighter color and feathered it on with a secondary darker color it would have been invisible. Sorry, I got stellar grades in makeup class when I was an acting student in college.

Also, Anne was amazing. Amazing. I cannot take my eyes off her hands in that phone scene. The red spot on her finger is so Lady Macbeth it just kills me. Yeah, she was biting her nails. And there is tons of speculation that the fact that she has red on her hands is a sign that she knows way more than she is letting on and that she is definitely lying about what went on.

The trigger for me losing it really begins when Jack says, "The truth is, sometimes I miss you so much I can hardly stand it." That of course, leads into the parking lot scene...and the line that knifes me in the guts is "There is never enough time, never enough time." My God - when you love someone is there every really enough time ? Ever ? It just gets worse from there, and by the end of that scene I am a weeping wreck.

Tonight I went to a screening and a Q and A with Heath and Michelle. The movie of course killed me again, even in the 4th viewing. I know I sound like a maniac. I have never seen a movie this many times. Never. 4 paper towels full of snot and tears later, we found out Michelle and the baby were sick and the Q and A is going to be rescheduled - maybe this Wednesday.

Very astute observations you made. I am impressed.

[dissention]

Originally Posted by sparky

The only quibbles I had with the makeup on Heath were in the diner scene and the last scene that the old age makeup is actually kind of flaking off around his crow's feet. That happens with spirit gum after many hours, and with other quickie old age tricks. Also, his sideburns in the scene at the house at the end, and the diner, show a distinct dark line where they are glued on. I thought that was sloppy and not needed - it was a cheap trick with brush on makeup to hide a glue line. If they had used a lighter color and feathered it on with a secondary darker color it would have been invisible. Sorry, I got stellar grades in makeup class when I was an acting student in college.

Haha. I didn't notice any of that. Now that's all I'm going to see the next time I see it. The only thing that really bothered me was the padding they gave Jake's gut for him when he was in thirties. Oh, it bugged the **** out of me. Especially the way they had him stand with his jacket open, hands on hips, to show it off. It just looked like he had a parlor pillow stuffed down his shirt.

Also, I have to say something about Linda Cardellini. I thought she was pretty great in it. She didn't have much to do, but she did a fantastic job with what she had to work with. I particularly liked the scene between her and Ennis' daughter, Junior. That look on her face when she's told she's "good enough" was brilliant. You could tell that comment pierced through her like a knife at first.

[stargazer99]

Originally Posted by sparky

Mary I am so glad you saw it and thrilled that you enjoyed it.

The only quibbles I had with the makeup on Heath were in the diner scene and the last scene that the old age makeup is actually kind of flaking off around his crow's feet. That happens with spirit gum after many hours, and with other quickie old age tricks. Also, his sideburns in the scene at the house at the end, and the diner, show a distinct dark line where they are glued on. I thought that was sloppy and not needed - it was a cheap trick with brush on makeup to hide a glue line. If they had used a lighter color and feathered it on with a secondary darker color it would have been invisible. Sorry, I got stellar grades in makeup class when I was an acting student in college.

Also, Anne was amazing. Amazing. I cannot take my eyes off her hands in that phone scene. The red spot on her finger is so Lady Macbeth it just kills me. Yeah, she was biting her nails. And there is tons of speculation that the fact that she has red on her hands is a sign that she knows way more than she is letting on and that she is definitely lying about what went on.

The trigger for me losing it really begins when Jack says, "The truth is, sometimes I miss you so much I can hardly stand it." That of course, leads into the parking lot scene...and the line that knifes me in the guts is "There is never enough time, never enough time." My God - when you love someone is there every really enough time ? Ever ? It just gets worse from there, and by the end of that scene I am a weeping wreck.

Tonight I went to a screening and a Q and A with Heath and Michelle. The movie of course killed me again, even in the 4th viewing. I know I sound like a maniac. I have never seen a movie this many times. Never. 4 paper towels full of snot and tears later, we found out Michelle and the baby were sick and the Q and A is going to be rescheduled - maybe this Wednesday.

Very astute observations you made. I am impressed.

I didn't notice some of what you mentioned, about the sideburns! Yeah, that definitely would have bugged me if I'd noticed it. I did notice the "flaking" of the makeup on Heath late in the movie, but I just chalked it up to his character working outside for so many years and that it was supposed to be sun damage.

That whole scene on the mountain was so incredibly powerful. It was gutwrenching! The emotion was powerful throughout the whole scene. But what really got to me was when Innis(sp?) broke down in Jack's arms. I could feel the absolute agony they were both going through! The pain of loving someone so much, and the fear of losing them for good. It was such a powerful scene! I think that's the first time that I could actually feel my gut clenching while watching a movie.

I agree about the scene with Anne. I kept thinking she was lying about what really happened, and was wondering if it was really something like what happened to Innis' neighbor when he was a kid. I was truly amazed by her performance, and thought that scene was brilliant. I keep thinking of her as the girl from "The Princess Diaries", and was truly surprised at how good she was in this movie.

The shirt, though... that's what absolutely did me in. I started sobbing at that point. It was shortly after that when I heard a lot of sniffling around me as well. And the scene leading up to it... when the Dad was talking about Jack's "plans". You could just feel Innis' regret. I can't even imagine the pain he must have been feeling at that point, and all the "what if's"? How many of us haven't felt regrets about love? But most of us haven't lived through 20+ years of such conflict to get to that point.

It truly was a very powerful film. And the acting and imagery were incredible! Like I said, I haven't seen the performances of any of Heath's competition, to compare his performance to. But he definitely gave an Oscar worthy performance.

Thanks for the compliments! I'm sorry you missed the Q&A, and hope they will reschedule. Do you have any questions you plan on asking?

[stargazer99]

Originally Posted by dissention

Also, I have to say something about Linda Cardellini.

I kept trying to figure out who that was. She looked so familiar, but I couldn't place her, until her last scene. She was very good as well. Of course, I don't think there was a bad performance in the movie.

[stargazer99]

I just thought of a couple questions/speculations, for those who've seen the movie.

When you first see Ennis' daughters, I could have sworn there were three kids. Was I imagining that?

Also, in the scene where Jack and Ennis are talking about their "affairs", and Jack says he's been fooling around with the foreman's wife... was it really the foreman? (The other husband from the restaurant/club?) Do you think that's the other one that the Dad is talking about?

[dissention]

Originally Posted by stargazer99

When you first see Ennis' daughters, I could have sworn there were three kids. Was I imagining that?

I could have sworn the same thing.

Also, in the scene where Jack and Ennis are talking about their "affairs", and Jack says he's been fooling around with the foreman's wife... was it really the foreman? (The other husband from the restaurant/club?) Do you think that's the other one that the Dad is talking about?

I don't think it was the wife, I think it was the husband. That's who I think Jack's father was talking about. That scene crushes me, when Ennis is told about the other man that Jack wanted to ranch with. All I could think about was when Ennis told him that he'd kill him if he knew about certain things and what was going through his mind when he was told that at Jack's parents' house. It's a testament to Ledger's work as an actor because you can see him go from shocked to angry to heartbroken in all of five seconds. To have it followed by his finding the bloodied shirts in Jack's room is too much. The last half hour is really brutal to watch.

[stargazer99]

Originally Posted by dissention

That scene crushes me, when Ennis is told about the other man that Jack wanted to ranch with. All I could think about was when Ennis told him that he'd kill him if he knew about certain things and what was going through his mind when he was told that at Jack's parents' house. It's a testament to Ledger's work as an actor because you can see him go from shocked to angry to heartbroken in all of five seconds. To have it followed by his finding the bloodied shirts in Jack's room is too much. The last half hour is really brutal to watch.

I agree, that's what was so amazing about his performance. The character doesn't talk much, but you can see the emotions on his face so clearly. But he didn't lay it on thick. It was so subtle, yet you could still read his face and feel his emotion. It was brilliant.

[sparky]

Originally Posted by stargazer99

I just thought of a couple questions/speculations, for those who've seen the movie.

When you first see Ennis' daughters, I could have sworn there were three kids. Was I imagining that?

Also, in the scene where Jack and Ennis are talking about their "affairs", and Jack says he's been fooling around with the foreman's wife... was it really the foreman? (The other husband from the restaurant/club?) Do you think that's the other one that the Dad is talking about?

I never saw 3 kids but when he is in that squalling kids scene, Alma asks him to wipe Junior's nose and he says "I would if I had three hands." This always makes me look for a third kid !

Yeah, Jack was totally talking about the rancher but lying about it. That scene where the rancher propositions him is really sad. He doesn't answer and just stares off into the distance with this glazed expression. You can tell he doesn't really want to right there. He is settling for second best.

I really liked Linda Cardellini. Some people think she is a superfluous character but I don't. She was a total 70's sexpot fungirl. And the complete opposite of Alma. Not even she could get Ennis. I completely recognized her as a type. She did a great job.

[stargazer99]

Originally Posted by sparky

I never saw 3 kids but when he is in that squalling kids scene, Alma asks him to wipe Junior's nose and he says "I would if I had three hands." This always makes me look for a third kid !

That's the scene I'm referring to. What I saw was him checking on a kid in the first crib, then one in the second crib, then Junior. Then he picked up Junior and the second baby, and went back to the first crib, where I could swear the first baby was. I even remember that when he checked on the first kid, then went to the second crib, everyone in the theater started laughing at the fact that there were 2 small babies. Then, saw the third, slightly older kid (Junior), and everyone really started laughing. Plus, the line about "if I had 3 hands". Maybe I was hallucinating? But it bugged me through the rest of the movie, because I kept wondering where the third kid was.

I also kept looking for a boy, because they kept referring to Junior. It took me a while to realize it was Alma, Jr.