*** Official BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN Discussion Thread - Page 6

Tino · 01-14-2006, 09:55 AM

I'm sorry, but calling Brokeback Mountain a "gay" film seems like a disservice to me. It really is so much more than that and I believe that calling it a "gay" film might dissuade people from seeing it.

It is, imho, a love story where the two people in love both happen to be male. Calling it a "gay" film tends to create a certain image in some peoples minds ( a few that I know for instance) that is not reflective of this film.

This film is about love, pure and simple. It's not in my opinion about being gay.

At least that's how I saw it.

SteveJKo · 01-14-2006, 11:55 AM

Calling it a "gay" film tends to create a certain image in some peoples minds ...

Then perhaps people should expand their views as to what constitutes a "gay" film. The issues of self loathing, questioning of "acceptable" definitions of "manhood", charachters staying closeted due to fear, all of these issues, and more, have been a part of gay film going back at least to Boys In The Band. And all these issues are here in Brokeback Mountain, just like Maurice, another gay film that, at first look, may not fit the usual patterns of "gay film".

Robert Ringwald · 01-14-2006, 12:19 PM

I think what he means is that it tells a universal story. A lot of gay films are catered to the gay audience in that you can relate purely because you had a very similar experience.

A good movie doesn't need you to completely relate to the story to feel something. Like my favorite movie Boys Don't Cry. I'm not in the same position at Brandon, but I certainly can identify with all of the things he experiences in the film on some level. Same with Harold & Maude. I've never fallen in love with a 79 year old woman... but I still identify with the characters on the fundamental levels. Or the great coming of age in NY film All Over Me. I've never been a fifteen year old lesbian in love with her best friend... but again, the movie touches on things that can be felt by lots of people.

A gay film that purely focuses with coming out isn't quite as universal as something like Brokeback. You could relate to Brokeback if you've ever been in a relationship you thought society might not understand. Be it an interracial romance, dating someone older or younger, etc. etc. Anything that's not widely accepted by society. So many gay films tend to take a different focus and unless you can directly relate it's not easy to become emotionally invested.

Brokeback is probably as big as it is because of the cast, director, and the hype it's getting.

I'm a little tired of the complaints from people about hearing how "brave" the actors were, also. I think it's pretty clear how crappy American society can be in relation to things like this, and although it's a real shame... playing a gay role can be harmful to someone in the hollywood spotlight. I don't think it was brave to play the role, but I think it shows how Jake and Heath have open minds and good attitudes, especially when they downplay their roles. They seem to say "What the heck? We're actors... We didn't rescue people from a burning building... How are we being brave?"

Again, it's not that they were brave enough to do gay love scenes, it's that they took roles that some might consider "career killers."

In the end, if anything, this film cemented both of them as hollywood actors, and I imagine the offers for more films will continue rolling in.

SteveJKo · 01-14-2006, 12:56 PM

I see what you mean Robert. Brokeback transcends the genre we usually consider "gay film", perhaps in a similar way that Star Wars (A New Hope - back in 1977) transcended the usual constraints of sci fi, and thus appealing to a larger audience.

Tino · 01-14-2006, 08:55 PM

Quote:

I think what he means is that it tells a universal story. A lot of gay films are catered to the gay audience in that you can relate purely because you had a very similar experience

Right. My hope is that more people see this film because it is a great heart wrenching love story as opposed to just being another "gay" film.

Patrick Sun · 01-14-2006, 09:16 PM

But it's a case of life imitating art, just as it's an uphill battle to sell this film to people who just won't go see a love story between 2 men, it's an uphill battle for Ennis to come to accepting a future that would allow him to love Jack unconditionally (and out in the open, not in secret).

I have an officemate who sees a lot of films, and we talk about the ones we've seen or want to see, and he absolutely refuses to go see BM because he simply can't move past the man-on-man action he might be subjected to, regardless of what I told him of the quality of the story.

Tino · 01-14-2006, 09:24 PM

Quote:

I have an officemate who sees a lot of films, and we talk about the ones we've seen or want to see, and he absolutely refuses to go see BM because he simply can't move past the man-on-man action he might be subjected to, regardless of what I told him of the quality of the story

I have about 4 co-workers with the same problem. And no amount of me trying to explain how this film is NOT what they think will pursuade them to see it. They have made up their minds that it is a "gay" film and they just have no interest in seeing it.

Their loss.

Henry Gale · 01-14-2006, 09:52 PM

Quote:

I have an officemate who ... absolutely refuses to go see BM because he simply can't move past the man-on-man action he might be subjected to, regardless of what I told him of the quality of the story.

Quote:

I have about 4 co-workers with the same problem. And no amount of me trying to explain how this film is NOT what they think will pursuade them to see it. They have made up their minds that it is a "gay" film and they just have no interest in seeing it.

Sure can relate to this.
It's really fascinating that I hear some of these coworkers talking about the film on a daily basis.
Why would they be so preoccupied with thoughts of this film?

Robert Ringwald · 01-15-2006, 10:54 AM

If they were comfortable with their sexuality...

It's funny, moving from Hometown, Illinois (not kidding, that's what it's called...) to NY a few years back, I forget sometimes (not often) how scared men get regarding guy/guy relationships, etc.

Mike Wilk · 01-15-2006, 06:04 PM

Not having any liking for sports talk, I've often wondered if there would be so much of it, when guys get together, if they felt they could also express their inner feelings without being afraid of being labeled. They can obviously enjoy the company but society says they mustn't enjoy it too much.

YMMV

Blake Siefken · 01-15-2006, 06:47 PM

Brokeback Mountain is a movie about two gay men who fall in love, that sounds like a "gay" film to me. One could argue that it transends genres, and it does, but at the end of the day this is a film about two gay men, them being gay, and how it affects their lives. Therefore, as far as I am concerned, this is a gay film.