Post by •°o.O emily O.o°• on Jan 23, 2007 19:50:34 GMT
I cant believe this hasnt been reviewed yet! One of '05s biggest films! I haven't actually watched it in the last month or so, so if i miss anything sorry! Anyway, this is the so called "Gay Cowboy film" (or Bareback Mounting as we called it ) which is actually a very moving drama about some bisexual part time-shepards. No explosions though, Si.
Visually the film is very well shot - tells the story, with a few inventive shots as well (looking in the car mirror - must've taken ages to set up right) Ang Lee makes good use of the beautiful scenery...some lovely shots of them on horseback in the forest, the lakes and mountains...and the use of light is spot on. I didn't notice his style as strongly as in Hulk - it was good quality filming which let the story take the forefront.
Storywise then; the obvious gay element was handled well - tasteful, but not shying away from the nature of their relationship, which is tentative, passionate and destructive. Without giving too much away for those who haven't seen the film, it is a tragedy...about how the power of a love which cannot be realised can tear lives apart, and has an effect on those around them too. You won't surprised to hear, I cried loads during and after this film when I first saw it the music is very emotive too. Both actors give great performances, particularly Heath Ledger who has a very quiet character but still manages to express a lot of emotion. I must say, Anne Hathaway got on my nerves (but maybe because of her character breaking up the two lovers, and not down to her performance ) We watch as the at-first passionate affair becomes strained and bitter, until it destroys them both.
The thing is I find it hard to analyse this film because it's just so involving...I don't watch it too often because it upsets me too much! (like Titanic, but it's better) But overall it's a carefully made film which tells a tragic story that has universal echoes. I read the short story it's based on after watching the film, and to be honest I was amazed they got such a good film out of the text - it's basically Annie Pollux rambling on about Rodeo in the 60's with occasional graphic descriptions of clumsy gay sex...ugh...don't read it. (In one bit they're having a snog, but because Jack has "buck teeth" in the book then Enis ends up bleeding into his mouth....WHY would you do that Annie?)
*ahem* Instead, whatever you think, go buy or borrow this film and give it a fair watch because in my opinion, it is strong in it's technique and plot ;D
A shiny 4.5 stars from me! (Im scared to give full marks...and it hasn't got Johnny Depp in it, so cannot be perfect )
Emily
Visually the film is very well shot - tells the story, with a few inventive shots as well (looking in the car mirror - must've taken ages to set up right) Ang Lee makes good use of the beautiful scenery...some lovely shots of them on horseback in the forest, the lakes and mountains...and the use of light is spot on. I didn't notice his style as strongly as in Hulk - it was good quality filming which let the story take the forefront.
Storywise then; the obvious gay element was handled well - tasteful, but not shying away from the nature of their relationship, which is tentative, passionate and destructive. Without giving too much away for those who haven't seen the film, it is a tragedy...about how the power of a love which cannot be realised can tear lives apart, and has an effect on those around them too. You won't surprised to hear, I cried loads during and after this film when I first saw it the music is very emotive too. Both actors give great performances, particularly Heath Ledger who has a very quiet character but still manages to express a lot of emotion. I must say, Anne Hathaway got on my nerves (but maybe because of her character breaking up the two lovers, and not down to her performance ) We watch as the at-first passionate affair becomes strained and bitter, until it destroys them both.
The thing is I find it hard to analyse this film because it's just so involving...I don't watch it too often because it upsets me too much! (like Titanic, but it's better) But overall it's a carefully made film which tells a tragic story that has universal echoes. I read the short story it's based on after watching the film, and to be honest I was amazed they got such a good film out of the text - it's basically Annie Pollux rambling on about Rodeo in the 60's with occasional graphic descriptions of clumsy gay sex...ugh...don't read it. (In one bit they're having a snog, but because Jack has "buck teeth" in the book then Enis ends up bleeding into his mouth....WHY would you do that Annie?)
*ahem* Instead, whatever you think, go buy or borrow this film and give it a fair watch because in my opinion, it is strong in it's technique and plot ;D
A shiny 4.5 stars from me! (Im scared to give full marks...and it hasn't got Johnny Depp in it, so cannot be perfect )
Emily