(Drama: 2 hours, 14 minutes); Starring: Heath Ledger, Jake Gyllenhaal, Randy Quaid, Anne Hathaway, Michelle Williams; Director: Ang Lee; Rated: R (Profanity, nudity, mature themes, sexuality and violence)

Movie Review: Based on the story by E. Annie Proulx, this tale details a secretive relationship of forbidden love between cowboys Ennis Del Mar (Ledger) and Jack Twist (Gyllenhaal). Although they live far apart and marry women (Hathaway and Williams), the two men continue their intimate relationship through thick and thin over several years.

Taiwanese director Ang Lee knows how to give audiences a great romantic screenplay. Note “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,” 2000.

Love is a force of nature is the tag line for “Brokeback Mountain’s” hilltop where the two main characters, Del Mar and Twist, first fall for each other. Lee moves slow in getting to romance, although the way Ledger and Gyllenhaal’s characters fall for each other is abrupt and abrasive. The first half of this drama could be termed bareback mountain. A smooth romantic entrance to their relationship is nil. It just happens.

The first hour of this film is slow — even tedious at times — like any good independent film. Yet if audiences are energetic and patient, what remains for the second half of this feature is sheer good drama worth every penny. Ledger and Gyllenhaal have been nominated for an Academy Award for lead and supporting actor resepctively, and Lee has been nominated for best directing for motion picture. All are deserving. Hats off to Ang Lee and his crew for this marvelous piece of fine cinema about the tragic love story of two cowboys.

Grade: A- (A mountain of a movie)