Diverse Viewpoints of the Reviews of the Brokeback Mountain - Movie Review Example

Diverse Viewpoints of the Reviews of the Movie Brokeback Mountain Thesis: The controversial theme of homosexual love does not affect the popularity amidst the controversies prevailing in the American society. The only thing is that the successes of Lee’s direction accompanied by the beautiful landscapes and the wonderful performances of Ennis and Jack have given the movie an appearance enduring appreciation and sympathy respectively. Review 1: This review is done by John Wirt. He seems to be praising the scenic background, the portrayal and features of the characters than their performances. In the beginning he talks in favor of the director and the artists, but as he proceeds with the review, he adds the thought of controversy from his point of view. He feels that homosexuality is still an unacceptable concept prevailing in the American society, and so a homosexual love between two cowboys is not a matching one for this story. His review reveals his notion that a cowboy character is not meant for homosexual love affair. He seems to find out the world that is beyond Ennis and Jack as lacking in love and tenderness. Though Jack comes first in his approved thought as a “high spirited rodeo bull rider” [Wirt, John.Brokeback Mountain Tells an unconventional Love story]. He seems to have had an elaborate vision over Ennis, in spite of describing as inexpressive. On the whole the critic in neither appreciating nor finding fault with the film. His review is of an unbiased nature. Review 2: By Phil Villarreal.”Real Love as a painful Burden” This critic has a very low estimation on this movie. Apart from many critics, he points out the two main characters Ennis and Jack as aimless cowboys. He observes that Americans do not approve of the homosexuality. And so the review also seems to be revolving around this opinion. He never showers a word of praise through out the review. Both and Jack are mentioned here as pretending characters, neither true to their profession nor true to their wives’ love respectively, and he is also of the opinion that the love which Ennis and Jack have for each other also ends in a painful endless circumstance. He rather feels that, it could have been a better movie. He is reaction seems to be very normal, not a deserving one for the success of the movie. He has rated this movie as above average film, not qualified for Oscar. Review. 3: By Louie Keller. “A Haunting and Complex Story That shows the fragility of love…” This critic seems to have been so much attached with this movie. Not only for the selection of the controversial thought that has been taken but also for the treatment that has been given in a successful way. He develops an unbiased opinion towards almost all the characters of this movie. He has reacted positively not only to Ennis and Jack but also to their wives and mother and their children respectively. He seems to give approval to this movie as a meaningful love story. The love that he has noticed is not only that exists between Ennis and Jack but also the one which their wives and mother have for them. Analysis of the three reviews: Of the three, the review written by Louie Keller, works in favor of the movie. Keller differs from the other three in many aspects. Firstly he has considered the other characters also, this is absolutely missing in the rest of the two reviews. Secondly Keller considers the love expressed from all the characters such as that of Laureen’s towards Jack and Alma’s towards Ennis. Both the ladies according to Keller, are enduring their husband’s arrival. The communication was only through telephone, and even this minor aspect of love that exists between them is pointed out nicely. No statement has been made in receipt of compromises. He gives his complete approval for this movie. The following comment shows how much interest Keller has for this movie and how much he has analyzed. He says, “Ang Lee’s visually magnificent film is as affecting as it is beautiful. Like its spectacular setting of mountains, forests and lakes, there are peaks and troughs to the central relationship, as its two characters battle against social acceptance and struggle with own demons. Lee tells this universal story with unbridled passion and sense of place” [Louie, Keller. A review of Brokeback Mountain] The way he has united the scenic background and the theme of the story looks nice, and this seems to be a new idea, which is totally missing in other reviews. Though they too have a sense of appreciation for the background selection, they do not find any link with the theme of the story. Coming to Phil Villareal, right from the beginning of the review he reflects a negative response to the film. For example he begins the review as “two aimless cowboys”. [Phil Villarreal.”Real Love as a painful Burden] He closely disapproves the theme, is very clearly echoed in his review. As a result he has produced negative remarks against all the aspects, starting from the performances, character selection [cowboys playing a role embedded with love affair], and their love, which seems to be the talk of the movie. For example he says, “It seems almost trite to call this a meaningful epic love story of a gay western. It focus more on commitment” and also adds that “over all the movie is a solid, entrancing love story, but all the Oscar buzz is no where justified” [ Phil Villarreal.”Real Love as a painful Burden ] John Wirt on the other hand goes much for the two main characters Ennis and Jack, the others seem to be of zero concern. His review shows that he might have watched the movie focusing or concentrating on Ennis and Jack only. The background here get his appreciation equally with that of the characters. When he says, “ Jack, a high spirited rodeo bull rider played by Jake Gyllenhaal, is the talker of the two. And he looks dandyish in his fur-collar coat and black gloves”, [Wirt, John.Brokeback Mountain Tells an unconventional Love story] Later when he concentrates on Ennis, he gives out a twisted opinion . He has a full fletched estimation on Ennis, a mere pessimistic remark, not a true one .i.e. Ennis deserves a hidden place in his appreciation. He says,” Quite the opposite, there is nothing expressive about Ennis. It is unusual if he mumbles more than a few guttural words”[Wirt, John. Brokeback Mountain Tells an unconventional Love story] The remark seems to very mean but Wirt has found unexpressed meanings in Ennis’s role. The actual condition of their love is finely expressed by Ennis, and though he speaks less, he reveals the truth regarding the difficulty and the commitment in their life to Jack. This point is closely observed by John Wirt in his review. He considers one more aspect of this film that is the communication between two minds that unlocks during the time when they take alcohol. This is a very important aspect of analyzing the characters and the circumstances in which they are bound to live. He says, ”As in many relationships, perhaps, alcohol helps Jack and Ennis reach a new level of intimacy. It’s no surprise who makes the first move.”[Wirt, John. Brokeback Mountain Tells an unconventional Love story] The move here he refers to is the talk regarding their love that they have with each other. Each Critic reacts differently, for example John Wirt, seems to have a balanced opinion over the concept on homosexual love, he says “The world beyond Jack and Ennis’ relationship, love and tenderness rarely found .That’s is a flaw in this finely crafted movie” [Wirt, John. Brokeback Mountain Tells an unconventional Love story]. On the other hand Phil Villarreal says in his final statement that, “It’s an above average film overprized for its social significance. Arriving in a time of fierce debate over homosexual marriage, this is one of the highest-profile gay-themed films to date, set in red states, no less” [ Phil Villarreal.”Real Love as a painful Burden] Where as Keller says, “While the central themes may include a homosexual theme, this is a story about meaningful love and enormity of commitment. Mesmerizing throughout, this is a truly magnificent film that affects meaningfully” [Louie, Keller. A review of Brokeback Mountain] This attitude seems to express a supportive argument to those who are affected by the homosexual tortures by the society. The point at which these three critics differ from each other displays the way in which they treat the theme. John Wirt neither approves nor disapproves, Keller never includes the theme as the major concern for the review, and Phil completely disapproves, saying that cowboys are meant for manly activities only. And this opinion is found on many critics also. Works Cited Keller, Louie. A review of Brokeback Mountain. Online. http://www.urbancinefile.com.au/home/view.asap?a=11391&s=Reviews Villarreal, Phil. “Real Love as a painful Burden” .CALIENTE. ARIZONA DAILY STAR. TUCSON, ARIZONA . PUBLISHED:2006. online. http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/ent_index/110661 Wirt, John. Brokeback Mountain Tells an unconventional Love story. Online. http://www.2theadvocate_com/entertainment/movies/reviews/2198125.html?movieid=2163387. Read More