What's the big deal over Brokeback Mountain?
It's competently directed by Ang Lee. But it's Ang Lee, so we expect that.
It's got some competent performances. Heath Ledger sheds the last vestiges of the cringeworthy A Knight's Tale and shows that he belongs on the big screen. Jake Gyllenhaal proves that he can also act. He's still not as good as his sister Maggie, but he's improved a lot since Donnie Darko. Michelle Williams doesn't do enough here despite the charged minutes she gets in front of the camera. Anne Hathaway somehow blundered into this film, again by showing us her breasts.
Why is there so much hype?
Look, this is a drama/romance with longing as the central theme. They can't be together, and the feelings that Ennis and Jack have for each other prove to be their undoing in the end. I can name at least four films with a similar theme that, in my mind, are significantly better: The Remains of the Day, In the Mood for Love and its sequel 2046, and The Bridges of Madison Country. You want to give Brokeback the Oscar? No way. And I LIKE Ang Lee's work.
The problem here is that people are uncomfortable with the film. They can't ignore it because it's got a high-profile director and cast, and it's got two big outfits backing it (Focus and Paramount), so they overcompensate. Brokeback Mountain is a WELL-CRAFTED tragic love story, but the best film of the year it's not. By a LONG shot.
Bottom Line: See it, but keep your expectations low. It's not THAT great.
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