Brokeback Mountain (2005)

The story of a forbidden and secretive relationship between two cowboys, and their lives over the years.

Director:

Ang Lee

Writers:

Annie Proulx (short story), Larry McMurtry (screenplay)

Stars:

Jake Gyllenhaal, Heath Ledger, Michelle Williams

Won 3 Oscars. Another 139 wins & 131 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Heath Ledger	...	Ennis Del Mar
Jake Gyllenhaal	...	Jack Twist
Randy Quaid	...	Joe Aguirre
Valerie Planche	...	Waitress
Dave Trimble	...	Basque (as David Trimble)
Victor Reyes	...	Chilean Sheepherder #1
Lachlan Mackintosh	...	Chilean Sheepherder #2
Michelle Williams	...	Alma
Larry Reese	...	Jolly Minister
Marty Antonini	...	Timmy
Tom Carey	...	Rodeo Clown
Dan McDougall	...	Bartender #1
Don Bland	...	Biker #1
Steven Cree Molison	...	Biker #2
Anne Hathaway	...	Lureen Newsome

Storyline

Two young men, Ennis Del Mar and Jack Twist, meet when they get a job as sheep herders on Brokeback Mountain. They are at first strangers, then they become friends. Throughout the weeks, they grow closer as they learn more about each other. One night, after some heavy drinking, they find a deeper connection. They then indulge in a blissful romance for the rest of the summer. Unable to deal with their feelings for each other, they part ways at the end of the summer. Four years go by, and they each settle down, Ennis in Wyoming with his wife and two girls, and Jack in Texas with his wife and son. Still longing for each other, they meet back up, and are faced with the fact that they need each other. They undeniably need each other, and unsure of what to do, they start a series of "fishing trips", in order to spend time together. The relationship struggles on for years until tragedy strikes.

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Plot Keywords:

gay relationship | cowboy | closeted homosexual | homosexuality | mountain | 

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Taglines:

Love Is A Force Of Nature

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for sexuality, nudity, language and some violence

Did You Know?

Trivia

Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal have stated that the sex scenes in the beginning were difficult to do. Ang Lee found the first scene difficult to film and has stated he has great respect for the two main actors for their "courage".

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Goofs

During the hail storm scene on Brokeback Mountain, although one can hear the wind blowing very hard, the trees in the distance remain still.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Jack Twist: [kicks the cargo box of his old car] Shit.

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Connections

Spoofed in Family Guy: It Takes a Village Idiot, and I Married One (2007)

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Soundtracks

King of the Road
Written by Roger Miller
Performed by Roger Miller
Courtesy of Tree Productions

User Reviews

I wish I had known how sad this movie was going to be.

I just watched this movie last night for the first time. I wish I hadn't. It was one of the saddest films I have ever seen. It bothered me to no end. I kept waking up all night thinking about it. I feel terrible.

The movie hit me especially hard because of my personal experiences. I spent several years living in the West and had a relationship with another man, who has since died. Watching this movie brought back many of the emotions I thought were long buried.

I feel like grabbing my coworkers and talking them to death about this film, but I know they don't want to hear about it. I feel this driving need to keep talking about it - maybe if I keep talking about it I can get the ending to change.

If I had known how this film was going to affect me - I wouldn't have watched it. It's too late now - I can't get it out of my head. I don't think I've ever been affected this much by a movie.

Details

Official Sites:

Official site [Taiwan] Pathé [France]

Country:

USA Canada

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

13 January 2006 (USA)

Also Known As:

Brokeback Mountain

Filming Locations:

Beiseker, Alberta, Canada

Box Office

Budget:

$14,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$547,425, 11 December 2005

Gross USA:

$83,043,761

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$178,062,759

Company Credits

Production Co:

Focus Features, River Road Entertainment, Alberta Film Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

134 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1