2. Heath Ledger & Jake Gyllenhaal In Brokeback Mountain
The Set Up We all know the story by now. Straight cowboys Ennis (Ledger) and Jack (Gyllenhaal) can't quit each other. After their tryst while herding sheep on Brokeback, they go too long without seeing each other. When Jack visits Ennis at his modest apartment in some anonymous small town, they embrace. In For The Kill Ennis takes Jack by the collar and shoves him against a wall. Out of sight (or so they think), their lips collide. Almost literally. What Makes It So Great The passion. It's an uninhibited, messy, violent expression of suppressed and oppressed longing. Unadulterated, and with unrelenting grips, they shove and tug. It's a palpable, unrestrained physical expression of myriad emotions. It feels uncomfortable, but the sheer release of tension transcends the screen in a way that speaks to the kiss' unique "closeted" context. There are very few like it.
Ian Tilman Nichols is a film reviewer and enthusiast based out of Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA. You can hear more of his thoughts on films by checking out the It's Only a Podcast and Flicksation podcasts.
