2008 Woodie Awards
Love Story Real Story of Brokeback Mountain
Allison Walker
Issue date: 1/27/06 Section: Arts & Entertainment
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"Highly Controversial," or "Gay Cowboy Movie," are both headlines that have been used to describe the western drama, Brokeback Mountain. For months the media has talked about the Utah movie theater that banned the movie. The owner, Larry H. Miller, is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and is known for campaigning against same-sex marriages. On "The Today Show," reviewer Gene Shalit called Jake Gyllenhaal's character Jack Twist a "sexual predator" for stalking Heath Ledger's character Ennis in the movie, according to glaad.org, but Shalit later publicly apologized for his statement.
The truth is a lot of the perceived controversy over Brokeback Mountain is being driven by a conflict-addicted media. In theory it would seem the movie should be extremely controversial. When it comes to discussions of gay lives and culture in our society, there is a pre-conceived notion that there must be conflict. However, the themes in Brokeback are universal, and seem to have resonated equally with most audiences.
According to Andy Huffman, general manager of Rave Motion Pictures in Little Rock, the response to the movie has been positive.
"It is a love story, so when people watch it, that is what they see," he said. "I would say I have not heard one negative response."
Ledger plays Ennis Del Mar, a young cowboy who meets Jack Twist (Gyllenhaal) in 1963 and slowly and unexpectedly falls in love. At the end of the summer both are forced to part ways because of the end of herding season and by Ennis' upcoming marriage to his girlfriend, Alma (Michelle Williams).
Despite its breathtaking landscapes, a melancholy mood haunts the film as the intimate situations captured by the characters and their scant words and arbitrary actions grow more complicated. Director Ang Lee takes time to develop the characters, and at just over two hours, Brokeback covers two decades, but gives every moment the time it deserves. While the central themes may include a homosexual premise, this is a story about meaningful love and the enormity of commitment.
The truth is a lot of the perceived controversy over Brokeback Mountain is being driven by a conflict-addicted media. In theory it would seem the movie should be extremely controversial. When it comes to discussions of gay lives and culture in our society, there is a pre-conceived notion that there must be conflict. However, the themes in Brokeback are universal, and seem to have resonated equally with most audiences.
According to Andy Huffman, general manager of Rave Motion Pictures in Little Rock, the response to the movie has been positive.
"It is a love story, so when people watch it, that is what they see," he said. "I would say I have not heard one negative response."
Ledger plays Ennis Del Mar, a young cowboy who meets Jack Twist (Gyllenhaal) in 1963 and slowly and unexpectedly falls in love. At the end of the summer both are forced to part ways because of the end of herding season and by Ennis' upcoming marriage to his girlfriend, Alma (Michelle Williams).
Despite its breathtaking landscapes, a melancholy mood haunts the film as the intimate situations captured by the characters and their scant words and arbitrary actions grow more complicated. Director Ang Lee takes time to develop the characters, and at just over two hours, Brokeback covers two decades, but gives every moment the time it deserves. While the central themes may include a homosexual premise, this is a story about meaningful love and the enormity of commitment.