O Segredo de Brokeback Mountain

Só agora e aqui é que me apercebi do tipo de ator que perdemos com Heath Ledger. Um "romance de western incomum" magistralmente escrito e realizado, ambientado em composições exteriores incríveis, mas, ao mesmo tempo, poderosamente íntimo internamente, com as emoções ocultas e a tragédia de uma felicidade tão perta e não realizada. Ang Lee guia os atores principais e secundários através das imagens e da edição como se pintasse um quadro. Numa atmosfera de retro-campo americano, ele compõe um mosaico perfeitamente focado de desejos e sonhos silenciosos, no qual o vento fresco da montanha e a poeira da pradaria são hesitantemente deixados entrar pelas melodias da trilha sonora discreta de Santaolalla. Uma cena, um passo cinematograficamente preciso na construção de personagens e na narrativa de vinte anos na vida de duas pessoas que não podiam viver juntas ou sem a outra. E da vida dos que os rodeiam, afetados pelos tristes acontecimentos que daí resultam. ___ O Segredo de Brokeback Mountain surpreendeu-me com a sua conclusão minimalista da história na forma mais digna de arte cinematográfica - sem uma pitada de kitsch ou de lágrimas forçadas por qualquer meio cinematográfico que não seja o de terminar calmamente a história fora do ecrã, ligando-se tão fortemente aos acontecimentos que precederam que nos faz partir o coração. Estes tristes romances homossexuais, quando são bem conseguidos, como acontece aqui ou em Chama-me Pelo Teu Nome, têm uma base muito mais dramática na angústia dos personagens em relação à sua diferença social e ao seu destino invejoso do que os filmes tradicionais sobre relações heterossexuais. Provavelmente também porque encontrar uma nova namorada quando as coisas não funcionaram com a anterior é muito mais fácil do que encontrar uma ligação forte com alguém dos dois por cento da população. Acho que, para um fã de cinema, é como ver um filme realizado desta forma de tempos a tempos. (03/04/2024)

Just like a children's picture book, this picture puzzle is filmed in an incredibly captivating way and the characters stand out beautifully. However, the film completely misses any deeper emotional impact in its picturesqueness, which is unfortunately due to the very careful handling of the provocative subject matter. This is due to the fact that if the relationship had been developed between heterosexuals, it would have been the perfect essence of kitsch, which, with the subject of homosexuality, seems more like a cheap pose than an effort to demystify not only the Wild West and cowboys as tough guys, but homosexuality itself. (05/11/2006)

A beautiful film, with haunting images and a slow pace narrative that resonates with my tastes, but it’s missing something for the 5*. First of all, I didn't quite believe the depth of the relationship between the two cowboys. As portrayed by Ang Lee, their sexual bonding seemed to be only a temporary romance, the infatuation of two people in the middle of the loneliness of the mountains, but for it to be such a strong and faithful relationship that is so passionate even after four years filled with marriage and children, there would have to be something more, something that is formed over months and years of living with each other and overcoming obstacles. I missed that, which is why I didn't believe their passionate kissing scene when they meet again, but please take that as a very subjective point of view. Otherwise it will be all praise, because what Ledger and Gyllenhaal do can't be called anything else than an ode to acting, and it’s mainly because of them, the beautiful cinematography and the unobtrusive, but impressive musical score, that this film is worth seeing. But don't expect a whirlwind of emotions, they come out rather subtly throughout the film. (11/03/2006)

A much more demanding film than it may seem at first glance. Ang Lee approaches a sensitive subject completely differently than I expected, without overflowing with emotions, and the viewer interprets everything solely through glances and sparingly tight actions. But when it comes to confession, it is powerful. I wouldn't indulge in total superlatives, given the excessively wide shots, but it captivates with its atmosphere and the performances of Heath Ledger and Anne Hathaway, drawing the audience's attention to the main couple and holding their breath exactly in those moments when I feel that hearts are breaking. (13/05/2006)

Dragged-out like nothing else on earth. Among the plus points we have Lee’s directing in isolated scenes, the acting performances and the believable relations between characters... But everything gets overshadowed by dog-weariness so great, that it doesn’t allow you to immerse yourself in to the movie (or penetrate in this case?). I personally would have appreciated it if Gyllenhaal and Ledger had swapped their roles, because the latter doesn’t fit the silent type at all, even though he does a good job of it. (19/10/2007)