Brokeback Mountain

Brokeback Mountain is a very touching, yet depressing, movie about two men that fall in love while guarding sheep up on Brokeback Mountain.

The movie begins with the men asking for work in the grasslands of Wyoming. Quick glances at each other suggest there is even some chemistry at the very start. One cowboy (Jack) is assigned the duty of watching the sheep on the mountain, the other (Ennis) is in charge of cooking the food. Because of the loneliness and need for affection, the men sit for long hours exchanging stories of their pasts. A particularly cold night leads them to sleep together in the same tent where lust overcomes all hindrances. They develop a strong bond that lasts even when the job is over.

Over the years apart, they start their own families. But their love brings them together for "fishing" trips every 3 or so months. They talk about living together someday, but the climate of the society keeps them apart, especially since one cowboy witnessed the outcome of such a prospect. When young, his father showed him how a gay man was tortured and killed due to his preference in sexuality. This potent fear prevents him from ever experiencing the true happiness that he desires.

The frustration of never living their true desires draws them apart. Eventually, they are separated forever with regret ever-hanging on one man's head.

There are some beautiful scenes. The acting is superb and convincing. The story comes alive on the screen. The action and dialogue are extremely slow at times, but that's only to capture how life was for these men: they were poor cowboys out in the wilderness where life moves at a different pace.

The story teaches us to live for what we desire and quench all fear lest we lie in regret for never having tried. Overall, I give this movie 3 potatoes.

Ikiru

I was pleasantly surprised by the movie Ikiru. Recommended to me by Netflix, I expected a more modern-day film and was slightly disappointed when seeing black and white. However, the plot of the movie more than makes up for any silly prejudices on my part.

The movie begins by showing a sad, old man (Watanabe) in a deadend job at city hall with no hope of happiness or a future. His coworkers joke about his lack of importance. To add to his dismal existence, Watanabe soon finds out he is to die in less than a year due to stomach cancer. This sends him into deep depression, especially considering that his son and daughter-in-law have no respect for him and only want his money.

Watanabe tries to commit suicide, but on the way to death's door he meets a young man willing to show him what life is really about. Along the way, Watanabe remembers what it means to live and love. He also meets a young woman (a former coworker) on the street. She is filled with such life that inspires him to make a difference.

In his dying days, he strives to change a devastated community filled with garbage and disease. He works endlessly and passionately to rid the community of a cesspool and create a park for children. His persistence allows the change to occur, despite many obstacles.

There are some amazingly deep scenes in this mocvie. My favorite shows Watanabe walking away from a group of people singing "Happy Birthday," signifying his trek away from birth towards death. Also, at the end of the film, the viewer sees Watanabe standing on a bridge, watching the children play in his park from above, symbolizing Watanabe watching from heaven.

Ikiru is powerful. The message gives hope that anything can be accomplished, but also shows human nature to forget one's passions until the very end. It captures human success and failure, hope and despair, love and loss. It reminds the viewer that life is short and warns to listen before it's too late. I give this movie 4 potatoes.