Directed by: Ang Lee
Released: 2005
Country: United States
Genre: Romantic drama, Western
Rating: 5 out of 5
Review
Ennis Del Mar (played by Heath Ledger) and Jack Twist (played by Jake Gyllenhaal) first meet in the 1950s, when they take jobs as shepherds in the mountains of Wyoming. Eventually, they find themselves falling in love with each other and begin a relationship. However, they have to part once the summer is over. Ennis marries Alma (played by Michelle Williams) while Jack marries Lureen (played by Anne Hathaway), the daughter of a well-off businessman. Several years pass, Ennis and Jack both are settled in their lives and then they decide to reconnect. In an era when social attitude to homosexuality is mostly negative- and also because they both have families- they try their best to keep their relationship a secret, but this relationship goes on to impact the lives of themselves and those of the people around them.
''Brokeback Mountain'' is such a breathtakingly beautiful film. The chemistry between Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal is perfect and extremely touching. The film explores the various complexities of human relationship and human nature. Ennis and Jack love each other but they cannot reveal that to anybody- partly because of the society's attitude to homosexuality, partly because they have families. Alma- Ennis' wife- has no fault but she feels emotionally shaken when she comes to know that her husband is carrying on a relationship with another man- and it is natural for her; she cannot be blamed in this case. Nor can Ennis be blamed. This is where life has brought them to. This is just how complicated human nature is. Or perhaps it is not the people involved who are wrong- but it is the society that is to be blamed here? Would Jack and Ennis have to go through so much trouble in the first place had the society not been so intolerant? Couldn't they continue their relationship, instead of getting married? They would have been so much happier had it not been for the society. Ultimately, their relationship- and repressed feelings- made them suffer and made their families suffer- because nobody can ever be happy leading a double life.
The screenplay is excellent, the performances (particularly those of Ledger, Gyllenhaal, Williams and Hathaway) are great and the cinematography is beautiful. ''Brokeback Mountain'' is a heartbreaking, emotionally overwhelming and deeply beautiful film.
Directed by: John Ford
Released: 1939
Country: United States
Genre: Western, Drama, Adventure
Rating: 5 out of 5
Review
I started watching ''Stagecoach'' without knowing what to expect from it as I have only watched a few western movies. This film, however, left me impressed and deeply moved.
Several people start a journey to Lordsburgh on a stagecoach. They continue their journey even after they come to know that there is trouble ahead, that Apaches might attack them on their way. The people on the stagecoach are Dallas (played by Claire Trevor)- who happens to be a prostitute, Lucy Mallory (played by Louise Platt)- who is expecting to meet her husband on the way (her husband is in the army), Doctor Boone (played by Thomas Mitchell)- a doctor who often drinks, Mr Hatfield (played by John Carradine)- a gambler, Mr Peacock (played by Donald Meek)- a whiskey salesman, and Mr. Gatewood (played by Berton Churchill)- a banker. The stagecoach is being driven by Buck (played by Andy Devine), who is accompanied by Marshal Curly Wilcox (played by George Bancroft). Curly is accompanying the stagecoach because a fugitive, Ringo Kid (played by John Wayne), has escaped from penitentiary and is traveling to Lordsburgh to have his revenge on the person who killed his family members. Curly is searching for Ringo. They come across Ringo on the way and Curly arrests him. They continue their journey, knowing that there is danger ahead, that Apaches can attack any time, and on their way they slowly get to know more about each other and learn to leave their prejudices behind and accept one another.
''Stagecoach'' is a deeply moving film with great character development. My favorite characters were Dallas and Ringo. I felt so sad and infuriated when I saw the other passengers of the stagecoach initially treating Dallas with prejudice and hatred. Although she is extremely goodhearted, her fellow passengers initially neglect and ignore her just because of her occupation. Nobody bothers to ask her opinion. When Dallas sees that Mrs. Mallory (who happens to be pregnant) is feeling unwell, she offers to sit beside her so that she (Mrs Mallory) can put her head on her (Dallas') shoulder. Mrs. Mallory, influenced by her social prejudice, refuses. I felt so overwhelmed when I saw Ringo caring for Dallas. ''What about the other lady?''- he demands when nobody bothers to ask Dallas' opinion. Eventually, a deep bond develops between the two of them. The other passengers of the stagecoach eventually manage to leave their prejudices behind as well.
The performances were great, the characters were deeply developed, and the most special thing about the film was the presence of Ringo and Dallas. Such wonderful characters they were! Dallas, particularly, was the most beautifully developed character. I loved this film.
Directed by: Fred Zinnemann
Released: 1952
Country: United States
Genres: Western, Drama, Thriller
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Review
In ''High Noon'', Gary Cooper plays Marshal Will Kane. The film tells a story that spans just a few hours- and within these few hours, a lot of things happen: tension, disappointment, fear, thrills, apprehension. It is a western thriller full of thrills and tension- and one that I would highly recommend.
Marshal Will Kane marries Amy Fowler (Grace Kelly), but just a few minutes after their marriage, they get a terrible news: a man, Frank Miller, whom Will had sent to prison, has been released, and is coming back to take revenge on Will. Everybody advises Will to get out of the town before Frank arrives, and Will initially agrees, but soon returns to the town. Amy is furious at him: she wants him to leave the town with her, but when he disagrees, she decides to leave the town on her own. She waits at a hotel near the station, waiting for the train. On the other hand, some friends of Frank are waiting for him at the station, ready to welcome him back. Will starts looking for help, looking for people who would help him face Frank. But nobody agrees to help him: some out of fear, and some because of their dislike for Will (ironically, the only people who want to help Will are a one-eyed man and a teenager). And as the minutes fly by, Frank's train keeps approaching...
One of the things I loved about this film is it's simplicity: it tells the story that spans just a few hours, and within those few hours, the characters go through such incidents, such fear, such thrills, such tension. Gary Cooper and Grace Kelly are definitely excellent in their respective roles, and I should also mention Katy Jurado, who plays Helen Ramirez, who had been the lovers of both Frank and Will.
''High Noon'' is a thrilling film with excellent screenplay and performances. I'd highly recommend it.
4.5 out of 5
