"Brokeback Mountain" shines

The mark of a great movie is what is left when all the glitz and glamour of Hollywood is peeled away. What remains is the essence of a film, and no release in recent memory has stood this test as brilliantly as "Brokeback Mountain."

Unlike most blockbusters, "Brokeback Mountain" does not rely on special effects or shocking film sequences — it relies on a moving story, outstanding performances and a powerful script.At the essence, the film is a story about humanity. Though it tackles the always-sensitive subject of homosexual relationships, it does so with class, being neither melodramatic nor condescending. It does not exploit stereotypes or caricatures of emotion, as it could easily have done. It is brilliant in its simplicity, and real in its pain.

Yet even the most inspired of stories cannot be conveyed effectively without strong performances, and this film is full of them. Perhaps the most remarkable is that of Heath Ledger, who plays stoic cowboy Ennis Del Mar. Suppressing his Australian accent, Ledger truly becomes the tortured Del Mar. Not only can the society in which he lives never accept his relationship with fellow cowboy Jack Twist (Jake Gyllenhaal), but neither can he truly come to terms with his feelings. Both Twist and Del Mar struggle to fight against the only thing that feels real. In his role, however, Ledger almost seems to forget that he is performing for an audience, occasionally letting his emotion and his accent impede the audience's understanding of his words.

Aside from the performances, the movie is also excellently filmed. Each shot has evidence of exquisite planning, the characters seemed perfectly framed against the stunning scenery of the film. In the opening sequence, for example, Ledger stands against a trailer. His head is bent down, his hat hiding all but the lower half of his face. As Ledger pulls out a cigarette, a train passes in front of him, and the camera films from between the cars, giving the effect of still frames. The result is not only visually interesting, but also reveals subtle characteristics and heightens the tension of the story. Though the cinematography is compelling, it does not take away from the story, as many other films fall victim to, nor does it become the main focus of the film. Unlike past Oscar contenders, such as "Lord of the Rings" and "The Aviator," which have been more about how they look than what they say, "Brokeback Mountain" is unembellished and, in a way, simple.

"Brokeback Mountain" is long, 134 minutes, but is so enrapturing that audience members hardly feel compelled to look at their watches. Though the film moves slowly and without much suspenseful action, there is something about the characters and their ordeal that grabs hold of viewers. Ledger and stellar director Ang Lee weave a masterfully powerful tale. Each moment is so real and each shot so beautiful that the specifics of the story seem to melt away, leaving only the tangible and universal emotions the film is about.

"Brokeback Mountain" (134 minutes, at Bethesda Row Cinema and Lowes Dupont Circle) is rated R for sexuality, nudity, language and some violence.