Brokeback
The movie Brokeback Mountain is currently playing at my local theater. I’ve heard and read positive reviews of the movie, and some are hailing the film as an Oscar candidate.
So why is it with all the rave reviews am I unwilling to walk down the street to see the movie? Yeah, I know the film has been described as “the gay cowboy movie”, but I’m open-minded about different lifestyles and sexual orientations other than my own. And I’m all for equality down the line.
I’ve always loved the western genre. There’s something special about the stories of the old west. In watching the trailer of Brokeback, I was surprised to see that the setting is not of the old west, but rather set in current times. Oh sure, the guys wear cowboy hats and ride horses, but that’s where the connection to the western genre ends. I just assumed if it were a cowboy movie, it was a western.
So if Brokeback isn’t a western, then what is it? In reading the reviews, I discovered that it’s a romance drama. I image the tag of a gay cowboy movie is a publicity move, as it would understandably grab more attention than would a gay romance.
It’s safe to say that I’ve never gone to the theater by myself to see a romance film. I don’t want to see all that sentimental lovey-dovey stuff between a man and a woman, a man and a man, a woman and a woman, or any other combination. As open-minded as I like to think I am, I still don’t want to watch a chick-flick.
January 16th, 2006 at 7:59 am
I like that you are very honest about your feelings for this movie. My husband is also very open minded, but he sure wouldn’t go see this movie either. Because openly gay relations still freak him out. And he hates that he feels this way. Who can say if it’s right or wrong? Your feelings are your own and honesty is always the right thing.
January 16th, 2006 at 8:07 am
I doubt I’ll see this movie either. I don’t have anything against homosexuals, live and let live.
*HUGS*
January 16th, 2006 at 8:55 am
hehe… that was an amusingly honest post, kane. never would have taken you for an anti-chick-flick kinda guy though! must say i was surprised.
hope you have a great week ahead.
January 16th, 2006 at 9:30 am
I saw Brokeback Mountain and thought it was fantastic. I didn’t think it could be called a chick flick tho, if by chick flick you mean lovey dovey kissy touchy kind of thing. It was more a film about hiding feelings than showing feelings. There were many scenes you’d find in any western: horseback riding, setting up camp, watching over the flock, how tough it was living a hardscrabble life in the west.
January 16th, 2006 at 1:48 pm
hmmmm. interesting post, Kane. Brokeback isn’t really a love story. It’s based on the Annie Proulx short story. My thing with the book, and the movie, is that Alma’s reactions and feelings are considered at all.
Anyhoo, if you do see it, let us know what you think.
January 16th, 2006 at 1:48 pm
“aren’t considered” at all. Sheesh. Monday fingers.
January 18th, 2006 at 4:46 pm
As always, thanks to everyone for sharing your thoughts.
January 24th, 2006 at 8:07 am
To be honest, one of my closest friends was on the production end of BrokeBack. As i received passes for a free viewing, i naturally felt an obligation to attend. The characters happen to be cowboys though it’s not a western. And yes, they fall in love, though it’s not a romance. If anything it’s a drama and its message is one of courage, best expressed by T.S. Eliot: Footfalls echo in the memory, Down the passage which we did not take, Towards the door we never opened. It’s a beautifully crafted film. The cinematography was outstanding, editing (my field) well done, and the acting superb - particularly that of Jake Gyllenhaal. It has humor, sorrow, beauty, raw emotion and honesty. At times it’s also a tad slow and tedious. It’s one of those films one might appreciate best later, when one has had time to think about it. When the film was over, i sat quietly, wishing for more. My husband, on the other hand, could neither speak nor move for some few moments for fear he would “bawl like a baby”. All in all, i would prefer to see it again. And likely will.