Redefining the Concept of the Hollywood Drama Genre (Movie Review Sample)

Redefining the Concept of the Hollywood Drama Genre
Name
Institution
Professor
Date
Redefining the Concept of the Hollywood Drama Genre
The movie Brokeback Mountain is based on the Hollywood drama genre because it explores and depicts themes that are consistent with stories based in the drama genre. The theme of love in the story is explored through a relationship that transcends the protagonists but also destroys them. Intolerance is another dramatic theme explored in the film that depicts the characters at their best and worst moments. At the end of the film, the performances challenge stereotypes and established tropes through their depiction of masculinity and its relationship to sexual orientation. By depicting these dramatic themes and challenging established tropes and stereotypes, the film has established itself as a Hollywood drama.
Brokeback Mountain presents the story of two men who fall in love with each other in a society that has stigmatized homosexuality. Ennis Del Mar and Jack Twist are the two flawed characters who find each other and fall in love with each other. Both men possessed characteristics and traits that attracted them to each other. Ennis was quiet and reserved, content to let his actions speak for him rather than relying on his words. Jack was outgoing, flashy and brazen (Lee, 2005). Naturally, their opposite traits led to them growing attached to each other as they were worked together to make their uncomfortable working conditions tolerable. Ennis grew an attraction for Jack’s brash nature. For example, in the movie, he confesses to Ennis that he is a sinner because he was actively sexual. Ennis is impressed by Jack and admits that he is still a virgin. Jack, on the other hand, becomes attracted to Ennis’ thoughtful, straightforward and responsible nature. For example, Ennis notices that Jack had become increasingly frustrated with the condition they were in. Therefore he decided to cook a special soup for Jack and offered to take one of Jack’s shifts for him to let him rest (Lee, 2005). Both these characters inevitably fall in love with each other because they understand and complement each other.
The main protagonists are involved in a complicated love for each other because not only is their relationship not tolerated by society; it is also based on opposite individuals with traumatic pasts. In the film, Ennis and Jack are prevented from ever forming a stable relationship because it was forbidden. Homosexuality is looked down upon in the state of Wyoming and there are multiple instances where the two men are prevented from working on their relationship. In the beginning, they are denied the time to spend more time with each other and develop a deeper understanding of each other. This is because the owner of the ranch had spied on them together as a couple therefore due to his intolerance he cut short their employment and refused to hire Jack again in the future (Lee, 2005). The years that passed before they saw each other again forced each man to move on with their life by getting jobs and creating families which further eroded their chance to form a stable relationship. Ennis’ sense of responsibility for his family causes him to pass up on an opportunity to run away with Jack to a new city where they could live a new life. This meant that they had no choice but to meet sporadically causing Jack to seek pleasure from other people.
Their inability to form a stable relationship meant that both men took out their frustration on other people. Ennis pressured his wife to engage in anal sex with him because he could not have sex with Jack. This caused emotional trauma on Alma because she was forced into engaging in a sexual act that she was not comfortable performing. He was also engaged in several fights as a way of venting his anger because he could not be with his loved one(Lee, 2005). Jack was constantly cheating on his wife and Ennis because he was trying to fill the void left by the absence of Ennis in his life.
The film’s message is intended for people who are in relationships or know of relationships that are not approved by other people. There are several instances where multiple characters overcome obstacles to be with their loved ones. First Jack and Ennis plan and enjoy multiple romantic trips with each other during the film. They both overcame the obstacle of the family so that they could be with each other and have a moment where they could revel in their love. Ennis overcame his fear of being discovered as a homosexual and the consequences that he would endure. Despite his refusal to run away with Jack and run a ranch together with him, Ennis still meets up with Jack for decades.
The plight of the two men’s families is obscured by the love between them and ends up being forgotten about by the audience. There are several reasons why the families do not draw the sympathy of the audience. First, even though Alma witnesses Ennis and Jack kissing, she stills stays with him and never confronts him because she believed that they should stay together to shelter the children. Alma’s love and sacrifice for her children are obscured because unlike the rest of the film it is a very common trope. Alma also tries to fix her marriage with Ennis but fails because he is emotionally distant and cannot form a connection with her. Clarissa also quietly suffers as she has to compete with Ennis’ love for Jack. The children are also forgotten about in the movie as the characters never consider how their relationships affect them. Jack’s parents are also obscured since the film doesn’t really depict how t...