I was planning to stay out of the whole debate over Hollywood’s current critical darling, “Brokeback Mountain,” a.k.a. “the gay cowboy movie.” I even resisted the impulse to respond to fellow Idol Chatterer Donna’s eloquent analysis of the movie. But yesterday I happened to run across this article from the Associated Press about how a suburban Salt Lake City theater owned by NBA Utah Jazz owner Larry Miller decided at the last minute to not show the film, indicating implicitly (if not explicitly) that the decision was directly linked to the homosexuality that is central to the story. For me, this tiny news tidbit became the proverbial last straw–even though I am sure this is not the last example of censorship or politizing of this polarizing issue. I now feel compelled to vent about the uproar that has made “Brokeback” this year’s “Million Dollar Baby.”
While I love discussing movies as much as the next person, if not more, I am completely disinterested in propaganda of any kind–pro-gay/anti-gay, pro-liberal/anti-liberal, you name it, I dislike it all. And what I find especially frustrating is when movies are reduced to propaganda by the news and entertainment media. And that is exactly what has happened to “Brokeback.” The film is being reviewed less for its artistic merits as for its ability to make an argument for a cause. The movie has been latched onto by the political left as a shining example of an enduring love that demonstrates society’s intolerance and the need to legalize gay marriage. Over on the right, religious groups are applying pressure, such as the case in Utah, to not show the film at all because it goes against the fundamental values of their beliefs.
My irritation lies in the fact that, in my opinion, both sides are wrong. The story, much as real life, is far more complex and does not deserve to be reduced to the role of nothing more than a poster child in a culture war. It also doesn’t deserve all the hype.
As I watched “Brokeback” after reading reviews primarily favorable to the film, I found it impossible to believe anyone would watch this movie and come away from it believing that everything would be perfect for Jack and Ennis if only they lived in a world where gay marriage was legal. Jack cannot bring himself to be faithful to either his wife or Ennis, so is a wedding ring really the answer? In fact, both men have serious unresolved childhood issues, which sabotage all of their relationships. At the same time, it was also difficult to watch the film and not feel the pain of these two men bent on self-destruction and feel some compassion. So here I am once again, standing somewhere in the middle of the cultural and spiritual divide of our country, wishing a movie could just be a movie.
posted January 13, 2006 at 10:07 am
“…wishing a movie could just be a movie.” It would be nice, wouldn’t it? But the suspicion that many on the right view Hollywood with prevents that from being possible when movies come out with themes that concern current political issues. That’s not necessarily unreasonable, either. Individuals in the film industry do tend to skew to the left, and it’s not unthinkable that films are made to promote a political agenda. At the same time, though, I think of a story by Harlan Ellison, pubished in 1964, called “Neither Your Jenny Nor Mine” that dealt with abortion. It could be used to advance pro-life or pro-choice views. But the story is the story, and it’s a deeply moving one at that. Let art be.>
posted January 19, 2006 at 1:02 am
Jack cannot be faithful to his wife because he is not even attracted to his wife. I thought that was rather obvious. And Jack had sex with one guy once in Mexico in a span of 20 years, and it was AFTER Ennis said there was no hopes for him and Jack to be together. I think that’s more than faithful, I think it’s amazing.>
posted January 21, 2006 at 1:02 am
The sooner we accept and start taking care of our own biz the planet will be more peaceful and humanlike-Godlike. When are we going to evolve and accept others who they rightfully are. Let’s drop the labels folks and start taking life as our own responsible. I think it’s not just the people being afraid looking in at the film industry as much as if you don’t do it my way, hit the highway. Let’s grow up it’s 2006! Enjoy, namaste! The Earth Human>
posted February 1, 2006 at 9:05 am
This was a beautiful, touching love story..I felt the pain and anguish of the characters..To me the gay angle was not the main issue here..I agree with the comments that if gay marriage were legal it really wouldnt have made a difference here. Both characters are dealing with demons and conflicts that they have. Yet their love is a constant and grows throughout the story as each lives their lives yet has to deal with this love they have for each other. For Ennis. it;s a constant struggle to face the reality of the love..he is often in denial..but for Jack ..he is more open about how he truly feels. This one of the greatest movies I have ever seen for so many reasons. Gorgeous scenery, a tension that builds throughout and basic human stories of conflict and love.>
posted February 13, 2006 at 6:29 am
I feel that there are many pieces of art that one side or the other of the right/left spectrum may sponsor, but that doesn’t mean that these pieces were created for either side. Brokeback Mountain is for me (and I’m sure for many other gay men) like an ancient writing on my heart. I have not experienced what was portrayed in that movie, nor have I borne witness to such events, but I know its pain deeply, as if it was sung to me before I was born. Brokeback Mountain is a gay myth…I believe it awakes something inside of us gay men that is hard make sense of today’s context. I believe it was intended more for us than it was ever intended to teach the right anything. There, I’ve said enough.>
posted February 14, 2006 at 4:40 pm
I agree with the writer almost completely. I wish that this movie didn’t have to become the “poster child in a cultural war,” even though I respect the fact that it addressed things that people struggle with every day. It was more eye-opening than emotional for me. when I saw it, I watched it simply as a movie, not as a political or social statement. Afterwards, I walked away wondering what all the hype was about. While it was well done, well acted, with good cinematography, it didn’t think it was the best movie of the year. It’s hard to separate the movie’s statement about homosexuality from the story itself. But if you do, in my opinion, you’re left with a mediocre love story.>
posted February 21, 2006 at 3:51 pm
Most of these comments are so homophobic. Could you imagine being gay in the 1960′s? My son was gay and struggled after he came out in l992 and promptly had a nervous break down. Back then there was no Will and Grace, no gay role models, ie. senators who had openly come out or house members. This movie is making a statement that ALL PEOPLE NO MATTER WHAT THEIR RACE, OR SEXUAL ORIENTATION SHOULD HAVE THE SAME HUMAN RIGHTS AS YOU AND I. WHY SHOULN’T THEY BE ABLE TO MARRY AND HAVE A HAPPY LIFE. MOST GAY MEN ARE HIGHLY EDUCATED AND ARE THE MOST KIND MEN. MOST WOMEN WOULD SAY THAT THEY WISH THEIR HUSBANDS WOULD ACT AS KIND. THIS IS BECAUSE MOST OF THEIR LIFE THEY HAVE BEEN OPPRESSED. AS MY SON SAID TO ME WHEN A GIRL WAS FLIRTING WITH HIM AT A MALL WHILE WE WERE SHOPPING, I ASKED “JASON ARE YOU SURE?” HIS ANSWER SAID IT ALL…..DO YOU THINK I WOULD BE PUTTING MYSELF THROUGH THIS IF I WERE NOT? I say live and let live. I also said my son was gay. This is because some macho l8 wheeler hit his little car and it went into the wall twice and both air bags went off. The truck driver did not even stop. That sounds like a lot of kindness dosen’t it? So now my gay angel is in heaven.Catalina, mediorce love story pleeease you missed the whole point of the film. Do you do this when you are reading books as well?>