"Mommas, don’t let your babies grow up to be gay cowboys…" If I've ever had any problems growing up (and trust me… I've had plenty), it is that I have a habit of being very opinionated. Of course, I guess that somehow turned me into the direction of writing movie and DVD reviews. I also have a very sharp, sarcastic and often cynical sense of humor, unhampered by the constraints of political correctness. (I always thought political correctness was for the Intellectually Challenged.) The problem is that my opinions and sense of humor often color me as being someone who is either racist or intolerant… and neither one of those labels could be further from the truth. Where there are those who would label me as a cynic, I defer to author George Bernard Shaw who said, "Those who have acute powers of observation are often called cynics by those who do not…" I observe and I think.

These are two traits missing from a good portion of the world's population. Just look at how many people voted for George W…. TWICE! And the students who recently 'marched' over immigration laws… they claim they skipped out of school because of their beliefs. Riiiight. Most of them skipped school… to skip school. (They'll go to their graves denying it… but come on… those of us with acute powers of observation know the truth.)

The point I'm trying to make here is that any comments I might make that seem derogatory about "Brokeback Mountain" will undeniably upset a few people… but these are the people who fall into the 'Intellectually Challenged' community and pose no real threat. Regardless of whether or not I deem the film a 'good one' or a 'bad one', the jokes will remain the same based on all the controversy the movie generated.

I avoided "Brokeback Mountain" when it was in theatres like the plague. The reason had nothing to do with homophobia. It was all the ridiculous hype. All we heard about was that the story involved gay cowboys. Well, I live in Texas (God help me…) and there are enough gay cowboys living in my town alone to keep the local 'gay cowboy' bar, The Southern Junction, in business until the apocalypse.

There was also the publicity about it being such a groundbreaking film. 'Oh my GOD… a film about gay cowboys…' Again I point to the fact that I live in Texas, so there's nothing new there… and the fact that there have been movies about gay doctors, gay lawyers… and I'll bet even gay Indian Chiefs in the past. The subject is nothing new in Hollywood, having been the subject of many an Independent Film, so what is so groundbreaking? To go even further, the news was abuzz with stories about semi-explicit sex scenes between the film's stars, Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal. Now this… this was reason enough for me not to want to see it.

Of course, when I say that, the Intellectually Challenged (who will be referred to from now on as the I.C. in order for me to keep from getting cramps from typing), will begin to immediately cry "HOMOPHOBE." Well, at least those who can pronounce it… here in Texas, it will undoubtedly come out more like HEOWMOWWWPHOWWWBE, or Hemophabe (think Tonto and the Lone Ranger…). But again I say it has nothing to do with that. It has more to do with the fact that I like movies that I can see with my family. I don’t care if the story is a romance about two guys, as long as I don’t have to see them butt-nekkid and in bed. I also feel the same way about movies that have a man and a woman in love. I think a truly good movie can tell a love story with any semi-explicit sex scenes. "Last of the Mohicans", which came out a few years back was a perfect example. Powerful romance… no sex scenes… heck… there wasn't even any bad language.

So when a DVD copy of "Brokeback Mountain" mountain showed up on my doorstep, I was extremely hesitant to watch it. I knew immediately that I did not want my family around, or at least my kids. My wife felt the same way about film, and was just as hesitant to watch it. I took a 'gander' at the DVD case and was surprised to notice that it kind of held back information about the 'relationship' within. It says, and I quote, "Brokeback Mountain is a sweeping epic that explores the lives of two young men, a ranch hand and a rodeo cowboy, who meet in the summer of 1963 and unexpectedly forge a lifelong connection. The complications, joys and heartbreak they experience provide a testament to the endurance and power of love…" Hmmm, doesn't really get to the heart of the matter does it?

But now, it is a few days later, and I have actually taken the time to watch "Brokeback Mountain", and it turns out I was half right about it. Taking for the story alone and how it is told, it is a terrific film. Director Ang Lee has once again proven he can tackle any subject (with the possible exception of superheroes) and turn out a good product. The cinematography is outstanding, and the acting unquestionably solid. The only exception is that if Jake Gyllenhaal, who has yet to prove to me that he can act at all. To date, "Bubble Boy" is still his best performance. As for the storyline, I was shocked to find that it went off in directions that I did not expect. And those who tell you it is a tragic love story are certainly correct. I found it to be a fascinating character study.

But it was far from the perfect film that was being lauded by critics. I don’t think it was deserving of the Oscar nominations that it received, except for Original Score. It was overall a fair movie at best, and undoubtedly it received so many nominations based upon its subject matter alone. I also do have a problem with the nature of how the relationship was presented physically. While it did not go into the explicit territory that public opinion seemed to dictate, it still went farther than I was comfortable watching (again I would have felt the same way if it were a heterosexual couple). But due to the scenes shared by Gyllenhaal and Ledger, it’s no wonder they both threw themselves into decidedly heterosexual roles right after filming it, (Gyllenhaal went to "Jarhead" and Ledger to "Casanova") lest they be stereotyped… (or would that be pigeonholed… no… I will NOT go there…).

The DVD for "Brokeback Mountain" offers up an awesome transfer, which really serves the cinematography well. The colors are lush and the soundtrack gorgeous. It also delivers a few well chosen extra features, including interviews with the author, Diana Ossana, screenwriter (and western novelist) Larry McMurtry and director Ang Lee. There is also a bit of a "Making of…" featurette.

For all of the combination of riducule and accolades that people have made about "Brokeback Mountain", the bottom line is that it is an extremely good movie, though not necessarily a great one. The characters in the story live lives that they shouldn't be forced to live, and in the end it is a tragedy.

Directed by: Ang Lee
Starring: Heath Ledger, Jake Gyllenhaal, Linda Cardellini, Anna Faris, Anne Hathaway, Michelle Williams, Randy Quaid
Extras: Directing from the Heart - Ang Lee, The Making of Brokeback Mountain, Interviews with Larry McMurtry & Diana Ossana
Specifications: Widescreen (1.85:1), Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound
Studio: Universal
Release Date: 4/4/2006
Region 1
MPAA Rating: R (Sexuality, Nudity, Language and Some Violence)
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We'll give Brokeback Mountain a B-.