Brokeback Mountain

Before watching the movie in class I had previously seen Brokeback Mountain, but I was curious about its differences from the short story. While the movie followed the story pretty closely, I was surprised to find I definitely preferred the film. As a short story, "Brokeback Mountain" was interesting and thought provoking, but I did not find myself becoming attached to the characters. The movie, on the other hand, was very successful in character development. As the film progresses I found myself becoming, sort of, attached to the characters. For the audience, the story is emotionally taxing. Beyond defining Ennis Del Mar and Jack Twist by their personal traits, the film captured their relationship more dramatically than the short story could.  Visually, the film was able to demonstrate this relationship and how it affected Ennis and Jack's relationships with others.  Both men felt miserable when they were apart, but, because of the time and place in which the story was set, they knew they could never truly be together.  I think "Brokeback Mountain" is a great commentary on the issue of gay rights.  From Jack and Ennis' fear of "being caught" to Jack's alleged brutal murder, the story speaks to the struggles of being openly gay in a world that refuses to accept differences.  "Brokeback Mountain" is a devastating depiction of the lack of diversity that existed, and still exists, in many parts of the United States.  While the short story displayed painful, difficult moments, the film was more effective in evoking emotion from the viewer.  Because the actors played their parts so convincingly, as a viewer, I couldn't help feeling like I knew them.  As viewers get deeper into the film, the characters' problems become problems with which the audience must grapple.  By enveloping yourself in the story, becoming invested in the lives and conflicts of the characters is unavoidable.