Ang Lee / 2005 / USA / 35 mm / 134 mins / cert 15)
(Mon 20th-Thu 23rd / 9pm / £4/3/2ttt)
In recent years, the mainstream motion picture industry in America has fallen into the habit of making high-concept issue movies that, whilst attempting to empathise with a minority group, often objectify them to the point of patronisation. It is the avoidance of this that makes Brokeback Mountain such a refreshing change. Despite director Ang Lee's tendency to allow picturesque landscape to dominate the frame, the background is never allowed to fully substitute for the human drama at the centre of this tender love story of lonesome cowboys. Due in no small part to the faithful adaptation of E. Annie Proulx's briliant short story, and to the terrifically understated performances by Jake Gylenhaal and Heath Ledger, he slow power of the tale never bubbles over into melodrama or camp cliche. As such, it will be well deserving of the little golden men it will no doubt attract on Oscar night.