little bitty girl

I must say I had my doubts about this movie. First of all, I wasn't sure how they could make a short story into a full feature film. Secondly, I could not imagine Jake Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger could convincingly play star crossed lovers.

Both Ledger and Gyllenhaal give unbelievable performances. The relationship they play is not an easy one but wrought with confusion,self-doubt and despair. On the surface they're both the ultimate Marlborough Men, rugged and tough. For some reason, they're inexplicably drawn to each other. Neither want to want each other but they can't stay away. Yet, they are stuck to the life that society forces them to lead and both lives are ultimately destroyed by their inability to be true to themselves. Not having been fans of any of their previous works, this movie definitely elevates their craft to a completely different level.

There were some parts of the story that were not great. The middle scenes seemed more drawn out than needed. The initial sexual scene could have been done slightly differently and the aging of Heath Ledger and his then nineteen year old daughter was completely unbelievable.

Despite these faults, Ang Lee manages once again to create a poignancy to the story, that makes it not about two gay lovers but two human beings trying to find love. Scenes are gorgeously played out and the tension is pitch perfect.

Wonderful breakthrough performance by Anne Hathaway in her first adult role. Not just because of her boobs. However, for those guys, who are a little uncomfortable with gay sexual scenes, Anne's two second shot of her natural wonders are worth all the uneasiness.

Brokeback Mountain is a tragic story about unfulfilled love. It'll compel you to question whose right it is to judge that love.