There’s nothing better to spread the Christmas cheer, by heading over to the AMC for the hugely anticipated Brokeback Mountain.

Perhaps that’s what happens when a movie is hugely anticipated; you come of the theatre disappointed.

First things first, I’m not sure if it’s because (1) the theatre’s audio equipment was too quiet, or (2) I’m still too “fob” to grasp unfamiliar accents, but seriously, subtitles would totally make help to get the full movie experience. The character played by Heath Ledger, Ennis, doesn’t speak much, but when he does , he just mumbles. If I was Jack (Jake Gyllenhaal), seriously I would slap him and tell him to friggin enunciate.

I came out of the movie with sort of a empty feeling. Perhaps I am a bit more critical on films that smell ‘Oscar-winning’, but I found the characters to be insufficiently developed. Sure, the movie greatly showed how much Jack loves Ennis and vice versa, but why?

Why do they love each other? I just don’t feel convinced about their love; they herded sheep together and spent some time together— then, when the movie catches me off guard, they just magically fall in love. I recall looking at Eric with my jaw to the ground— just because it seemed like it happened too quickly. I really didn’t know enough about the characters independently to really feel how they were that compelled to each other.

Aside from the lack of character development however, it was a good film. Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal’s performance really resonated with audiences, and for that reason, they definitely deserve Oscar nomimations— specifically Heath Ledger. Their performances were both compelling and convincing, and really applaud them.

The picture was very serene, and I totally would like to camp there. Though Heath and Jake are not my cup of tea (Mark mentioned that Anne Hathaway was the hottest cast in the film, and I agree), but I wouldn’t mind a cowboy keeping me company.

Brokeback Mountain - [imdb.com]