Movie: Brokeback Mountain

"Brokeback Mountain" is a love story. It is as simple as that and perhaps that is what frightens the far right in this country. The story is not so much a revelation of how different homosexual love is, but how much alike we all are when it comes to love, how we all suffer, how fragmented and complex life is, and how difficult each day can sometimes be.

The story of Ennis (Heath Ledger) and Jack (Jake Gyllenhaal) is told with subtle, grace and an elegance that rivals any love story. It is surrounded by the beautiful wilderness that is Wyoming, with that backdrop serving as a metaphor for the love Ennis and Jack share. With their sweet love comes rough terrain, elements beyond control, savage pulls, and hard work.

The story is a quiet tale done in deliberate fashion, devoid of gimmicks and caricature. Neither Jack or Ennis are fully noble or perfect. And their wives, played by Anne Hathaway and Michelle Williams, are both complete with love, anger, frailty, and regret.

"Brokeback Mountain" is about love eternal and the struggles involved in finding and keeping it. The greatest obstacle to this love is often, as Jack says, "Never enough time. Never enough."

Heath Ledger will be in line for an Oscar nomination for his role in this movie and deservedly so. Any accolades that come to "Brokeback Mountain" will be merited. Even Ang Lee, as director, does a good job of staying out of the way, allowing the story and the scenario to reveal themselves as they wish.

The right wing can scream about "Brokeback Mountain" until they turn blue in the face. Perhaps it scares them for all of themselves they find in it. Perhaps it leaves them empty, longing for such passion. Regardless, "Brokeback Mountain" is a must see movie and a timeless tale of love and all that sometimes can come with it.

Poem: Angel

Angel

It is in God’s merciful benevolence
Sent forth with an energetic vibrancy
Magnanimous gifts of divine creation

By expressions of absolute joyousness
Devoting love with encompassing passion
Beautiful nurturing provides sure safety

Wrapped tightly inside fabrics of God’s design
Bestowed with unmistakable blessedness
Textures holding a warmth and tenderest charm

A gentle ray of life-force sun permeates
Washing the inner self clean of any doubt
In the midst of an other-worldly sharing

And she soothes a weathered and tired spirit
And she speaks to aspects of life once missing
And she presents herself as unyielding love

I stand here with open arms, mind, soul, and heart

Copyright SGW 2005