Yesterday, I finally saw the most talked about movie in my circle of friends - Brokeback Mountain. It was described as a tour de force by some of my friends. The movie has been directed by Ang Lee of the "The Hulk" and the "Crouching Tiger and Hidden Dragon" fame. It is based on a story written by E. Annie Proulx. The movie portrays the gay relationship between two cowboys who inhabit the wilderness of America. Here is a review of the movie by Slate's David Leavitt - Men in Love. The movie does manage to portray the relationship between two gay friends in a very subtle fashion. Heath Ledger does a very nice job in portraying the character of tough and taciturn Ennis Del Mar. He is a strong contender for winning the Oscar for the best actor this year.

I found the the pace of the movie sometimes maddeningly slow. Maybe that is how the director wanted it to be. I was told that it takes a certain kind of state of mind to appreciate the true beauty of the cinematography as well as the script of the movie. Moreover, the whole damn thing ends in a tragedy. As my friend Parasuram suggests, "any movie that has a sad ending is not worth watching".

I am an Indian. I have seen enough of tragedy and struggles of people around me through my own eyes. Why would I want to go to a movie theater and pay my hard earned stipend (recently I lost my research funding and am struggling to make my ends meet) to watch a movie that depresses me? I want to run away from the reality in a movie theater like those millions back home in India. Lights! Cameras! Action! Start the fantasy and make me happy.