This movie might had sparked some controversy at the time but the
actual movie itself is kept very simplistic and humble. It doesn't feel
like it necessarily wanted- or tried to be revolutionary, confronting
or controversial. It simply tries to tell a good and sweet little
love-story. And the movie actually succeeded very well at doing just
that.
It's definitely the more independent type of movie, made with a low
budget and a small cast and crew, that just happened to blow up big
time because of its subject. Sure, nothing unusual about a romantic
movie with a big name cast in it but it is when the main focus of its
story is about the love between two men, played by Heath Ledger and
Jake Gyllenhaal in this case.
To me the movie however never necessarily felt like a homosexual love
story. It just happened to be so that the movie featured two human
beings, who got strongly attracted to each other and happened to be of
the same sex. I don't even fully believe that both characters were
necessarily homosexual themselves. It simply just happened to them,
with as a result a conflict between the heart and mind. They definitely
want to be together all the time, since it feels right for both of them
but not at all costs. This brings up some interesting dilemmas and
drama, which also involves different characters, such as the wives and
families of the two men.
It really is ultimately a very sweet movie, despite of all the drama
that is happening as well. It never goes over-the-top with anything and
keeps things real and sensible at all times. The characters, their
motivations and behavior are all very convincing, making this a mostly
realistic genre movie as well.
It also definitely works out well because of its acting. These sort of
roles are never easy to play for guys, who are not into guys themselves
but both Heath Ledger Jake Gyllenhaal deserve lots of praise and credit
for their performances and commitment to this movie and their roles.
There were certainly not holding back in anyway and were fully prepared
and willing to go all the way with their performances.
The movie is besides also a good looking- and well made one. Things are
deliberately being kept small and simple, so there are no distractions
from its main story. It has some great directing by Ang Lee in it, who
tells the story both through its imagery and by getting the best out of
its actors.
No, I wasn't fond of just everything. Sometimes things felt rushed and
it seemed like it skipped over certain things too fast and easily. Who
knows, maybe an additional 30 minutes could had done a lot more for the
movie and its story.
Simply a good, simplistic and besides of course also original
love-story!
8/10
Watch trailer
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