Nancy's Reviews > Brokeback Mountain

Yes, isn't just the saddest, sweetest story? I read it before the movie so the movie wouldn't corrupt my reading of the story, but Ang Lee stayed remarkably true to the story.

The other stories from the collection are good, too:

Close Range : Wyoming Stories

Oh, thanks, Donald. I didn't know who wrote the screenplay. I guess it's that person who does or doesn't stay true to the story, huh?

You know what always hangs me up in films? Aging. No matter how good the makeup and special effects are, my suspension of disbelief just never quite goes that far... I don't have that difficulty with books.

Thanks for the recommendation, Mindy. I thought it was odd that a short story would be published by itself.

Ang Lee's The Wedding Banquet was a wonderful film too.

Larry McMurty? The same guy who wrote Lonesome Dove and all those other westerns? Are they worth reading?

True, THAT, Donald!!!! (Except isn't it the other way around?) That reminds me, I haven't seen CTHD in a very long time.

If I didn't like anything else about him, I love Ang Lee for his acceptance speech at the Oscars that year (for Brokeback). Just knowing that so many people around the world were hearing him (and international director) validate same-sex love. I cried! (I cry most years. I'm an Oscar hag. It's like my Superbowl.)

I loved this story!! The movie was pretty great too (huge fan of both guys) but I still loved the book the best which is typical.
Thanks for the other story link! :)

There's been so much controversy of late about women writing m/m fiction, but I don't see how Proulx's story could possibly be bettered. The scene where they get back together and kiss on the stairs absolutely shattered me, I didn't know whether I wanted to learn to write better or never write anything again because it wouldn't be that good.

Victor J. Banis

The scene near the end, when Ennis is in Jack's room and discovers the bloodstained shirts he and Jack were wearing on their last day in Brokeback Mountain, one covering the other, was heartwrenching.

Personally, I don't care who writes m/m fiction. As long as it's a great story with believable characters, I'm happy.

Authors should explore different life experiences and times in their writing and write from different perspectives.

Nancy, when you break open that bottle and roll up that joint, let me know!

I thought the best part was when Ennis spit in his hand before going in for the plunge.

Well, right now I'm drinking 2003 Querceto Chianti Classico. The whiskey and joint will have to wait another day. :)

Do you think spitting in his hand just once was enough?

LOL

LOL! I was wondering that myself, Nancy. Yikes!

Fabulous review, Nancy

I've got a copy of Close Range: Wyoming Stories waiting upon my shelf to be read. I was swept away by the film... I enjoyed reading your review, Nancy; thanks.

I hope my drowsiness was due to watching the film at a late hour rather than its quality. I'll give it a try again when I'm less tired. Annie Proulx's writing was lovely and I now have Close Range: Wyoming Stories.

Nancy wrote: "I hope my drowsiness was due to watching the film at a late hour rather than its quality. I'll give it a try again when I'm less tired. Annie Proulx's writing was lovely and I now have [book:Clos..."

I'll keep an eye open for your review, then ;)

Nancy wrote: "Larry McMurty? The same guy who wrote Lonesome Dove and all those other westerns? Are they worth reading?
"
"Lonesome Dove" is worth reading. It's a big book but a lot happens and the characters and the relationships are invovling.

Mindy wrote: "True, THAT, Donald!!!! (Except isn't it the other way around?) That reminds me, I haven't seen CTHD in a very long time.

If I didn't like anything else about him, I love Ang Lee for his acceptan..."

Mindy, that was a great speech. I also cry too at the Oscars.

Yes, it's a painfully beautiful short story. The writing was sparse but so much was said. You should give the movie another chance. And you should think about reading the screenplay. It's a beautifully written script.

i couldn't get through the film either. i thought that there are moments that are compelling, but for me, it's too drawn out with too much emphasis on the scenery, which though beautiful, is not my thing. at the time i watched the dvd i was living for awhile there, so it was even less interesting to me. and i wanted to see more of the characters. i didn't realise it was a short story, that would explain it a bit, perhaps.

The scenery was spectacularly-vast and as such, breathtaking (for a Brit); I do believe that both the characters and the awesome cinematography swept me away. It astounds me that such a short, short story by Annie Proulx can be adapted into a film with a running time of 134 minutes - the scriptwriters worked such magic. I recently learnt that although the story is set in Wyoming the film was shot in the Canadian Rockies. So many of the landscapes of North America wow the hell out of me! But I think you are right in saying that Ang Lee could have placed more emphasis on exploring the intimacy between Jack and Ennis, and also on the disintegration of their heterosexual relationships/marriages. Am I alone in my great appreciation for the screen work of Michelle Williams (who played Alma Beers)? I really enjoy watching her on film; have you seen 'Wendy and Lucy'?

it's strange that most of the film is shot in canada, a few scenes are shot in wyoming, though. in the park. though many films that take place in the us are shot in canada, i believe because it's cheaper. it still feels like a film that is so much about place, would've filmed in the real place.

i haven't seen "wendy and lucy" yet. is that one of your favorites of hers? i'm not familiar with her work much.

Emilie wrote: "it's strange that most of the film is shot in canada, a few scenes are shot in wyoming, though. in the park. though many films that take place in the us are shot in canada, i believe because it's c..."

The independent film director of 'Wendy and Lucy' - Kelly Reichardt is certainly worth checking out. The screenplay of 'Wendy and Lucy' was adapted from 'Train Choir', a short story in Jon Raymond's Livability: Stories.
I feel so drawn to Reichardt's style, her rawness, her keen eye for the simplicity, yet the tragic realism, of the spaces and journeys she trails. Michelle Williams was perfectly cast in her role as Wendy; delicate yet so intense. In this film, and in 'Old Joy', Kelly Reichardt frames American landspaces to captivating effect.

If you feel that you would like to sample and savour the understated screen work of Michelle Williams, in addition to the aforementioned films, I would like to suggest: 'Shutter Island' (psychological thriller directed by the legendary Martin Scorcese); 'Synecdoche, New York' (Charlie Kaufman's wildly-ambitious directorial debut); and, 'I'm Not There' (the remarkable biographical musical film about the life and art of Bob Dylan directed by Todd Haynes, wherein Williams took on, yet again, a minor role - a representation of Edie Sedgwick)

i love charlie kaufman. he's a brilliant writer. i saw synecdoche ny when it first came out on dvd, and have been wanting to see it again. i really liked it, there's so much there. i remember i first saw her was in "the united states of leland" which i loved. i want to pay more attention to her now that you've pointed her out. and i'm more interested in "wendy and lucy" knowing it's directed by a woman. needing more female filmmakers!

Jeez, this is the only book that we have in common, so far.

Really? I just compared us and got 55 books in common. The one we both read was The Time Machine.

I mean of 'the only book' is the one you only reviewed here in GR. Hehe. Yap, an I really liked that book, how about you? Although the story telling part was so boring.

Y'know I passed this book (the anthology version i think) by when I last saw it in the charity shop, I wish I hadn't really, I don't know why I decided 2quid wasn't worth it, cos now I really want a copy.

What I'm really curious about is why this book above all other possible m/m romances made it to movie format and made it famous.. whats your opinion on that Nancy? (I've yet to see the movie either)

If you liked Proulx's writing here you might try The Shipping News, a wonderful read.

"The Shipping News" is an grim but excellent book. Beautifully written. Worth the time spent reading it.

I think that Annie Proulx is one of the best writers of short stories working today. I especially like the stories in Close Range: Wyoming Stories

I happen to have both books. I bought Close Range: Wyoming Stories shortly after reading this and I found The Shipping News at a library sale for 50 cents. Now I just have to read them. :)

Sath, I'm not sure why this book over others. Maybe the movie-going public is not yet ready for a gay romance story that ends happily.

Damn, damn, damn. I saw this book at a thrift store for less than $2 and didn't pick it up. What was I thinking?

It doesn't end happily?! well, crap. :(

My heart hurts just reading these comments.

I read this book today and I just loved it! I second everything you say about it, down to the part where 'it made you cry'. Its a sweet, sad, complex love story where neither gets to say 'I love you'.

Glad you enjoyed it. I definitely want to read more of her stories.

I'm behind on the times. I didn't even realize it was a book. I never tried the movie but this sounds great.

Hope you enjoy it, Shelby. Just have a box of tissues nearby.

The last scene in the film...the shirt one...makes me sob and wail and generally act like a Nazi soldier at the Russian Front.

That scene in the book made me leave my office and finish reading in the bathroom.

*hugs* Yep.

I wish Heath is still alive!

Victor wrote: "There's been so much controversy of late about women writing m/m fiction..."

I'm not sure there needs to be, certainly not in this case. It's a story about a taboo relationship, which just happens to be a gay one, but it's not graphic, and could just as easily have been about any other relationship between people from different groups (Romeo and Juliet/West Side Story, anyone?).

I have been emotionally compromised by this story. Gah. The book is almost (but not quite) as good as the movie.

The four actors were all absolutely flawless. Heath is amazing in this movie as Ennis and Jake was equally amazing as Jack. Personally, my favorite performance of his is in Prisoners, but as a teenager I fell in love with his blue eyes in Brokeback Mountain. lol