bareback mountain
This film is the talk of the town. According to reviews from acquaintances, there are basically two camps on the issue of gay cowboys. My girl friends and closet gay mates generally like this movie, and consider it beyond a homosexual love story. Then there's my heterosexual male friends who'd rather see lesbians than two blokes get down to business. In the beginning, subtle emotions were displayed when Ennis washes himself (naked), whilst Jack is facing the campfire, another one is where Jack wipes the wound on Ennis' head--these make you await for something explosive. For those of you who consider a few scenes too graphic, I'd suggest you grow up. The tent scene and the kisses are nothing. Far from cringing at homo intimacy as I usually do, the movie was done beautifully and poetically--the breathtaking mountains and trees surrounding and protecting the two lovers, and the mellow guitar tunes speak the unspeakable. I must say that my favour for the film was not of its subject-matter, but patriotism. It's always nice to see a Taiwanese director receiving world acclaim, and a versatile and modest character at that. An early issue of Time Out London included a slim copy of the original short story, and both A and G have strongly suggested me to read the book. I also have a suggestion for homosexual lovers who intend to hide their relationships: not that I'm against gayhood, but the two cowboys were certainly not very skillful at keeping their secret, such as kissing right in front of Ennis' house with his wife watching through the window.
Now you might want to give a second thought about your partner's arranged sporting events with mates, as you might know what 'fishing trips' really mean; HY jokingly said to me the other morning, 'Maybe I'm not going rock climbing with K'...