Brokeback Mountain and Oscar Roundtable

Finally got around to watching Brokeback Mountain. There's been an incredible buzz surrounding this movie and people have either, going by news reports, absolutely loved it or hated it. Considering the number of nominations BbM has been gathering (including 8 for the Oscars) I had to watch this movie to see how it compares with the other top movies nominated.

I'm not going into any lengthy, detailed review of the movie. There are plenty of valuable, better written reviews online to give readers a pretty fair idea about the storyline.

The movie is definitely well-directed. Ang Lee crafts each and every scene with care and deftly gets us involved into the story, allowing it to unravel leisurely and at a quiet pace. Although this movie deals with a bold theme, and the plot allows for several potentially emotionally-charged moments, it does not engage in any such shakesperean-like drama . There is a sense of restraint throughout and it would seem that Lee is more keen in making an intellectual argument rather appealing to raw emotions. Especially the ending which would've been more tragic had the director allowed it to be. But then on the same note the directors subtle show of support for gay marriages and union (at the end) couldn't have been more emphatic if he'd engaged in unnecassary melodrama earlier.

I realize i'm contradicting myself. The directors appeal to the logic of the mind bears fruit at the end cos he's forcefully put his message across. But I'd hoped it would be a more moving, emotional experience (like Munich). Imagine Titanic without the cheesy Melodrama. But as the director and having considered all factors, Ang Lee might've felt that this approach would probably be best suited to provide full justice to the script. And Kudos for his efforts.

The acting performances are brilliant. And deservedly receive acting nominations. Heath Ledger's reticent, soft-spoken, well modulated quasi-aussie cowboy accent is perfect. Jake Gyllenhaal virtually inhabits his character.

So? How does this compare with the other movies? Hmm diffficult to say. While Munich and Crash brilliantly manipulate the audiences emotions ( and the word manipulate is used here in the most positive sense possible), Goodnight and Goodluck and Brokeback Mountain seek to, as mentioned earlier, make intellectual arguments to already seering,controversial issues. None of the stories can be considered "safe" or "formulaic" and are all grim, edgy movies. Brokeback Mountain especially seems to be caught up in a battle between the conservative right-winged groups who were up-in-arms at the movie and the liberal left wing (which populates most of hollywood). We shall see how it all boils down on March 5th.

Meanwhile, I found an interesting article on Newsweek Entertainment which carried the Annual Oscar Roundtable discussion between all the nominated directors. Could there be a more diverse, exciting group of filmakers in a single room? A very interesting read indeed.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11077661/site/newsweek/

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