"Love is a force of nature."
Brokeback Mountain - Characters & Cast
Character Analysis
Ennis Del Mar
Heath Ledger
Motivation
Driven by a fear of violence and a sense of duty to his family, which prevents him from pursuing the life he truly wants.
Character Arc
Ennis moves from a state of guarded isolation to a brief, life-changing opening of his heart, only to spend the rest of his life retreating into repression. His final realization of his love comes only through the finality of Jack's death.
Jack Twist
Jake Gyllenhaal
Motivation
A desperate longing for permanence and a "ranch of their own" where they can live without fear.
Character Arc
Jack remains the constant pursuer of the relationship. Unlike Ennis, he is willing to risk societal fallout for a life together, but he eventually becomes embittered by Ennis's refusal to leave the closet.
Alma Beers
Michelle Williams
Motivation
The desire for a conventional, stable family life, which is undermined by Ennis's secret affair.
Character Arc
Alma begins as a hopeful bride but becomes a silent witness to her husband's secret. Her arc is one of mounting disillusionment and ultimate heartbreak as she realizes she can never fully reach her husband.