Brokeback Mountain
Something about Brokeback Mountain has hit a nerve in the collective American sub-conscious. Some are praising the film and are overjoyed to see an aspect of their lives revealed in a way which is respectful and informed. Susanne Salkind of the Human Rights Campaign, a national gay-rights group: "The more people who are exposed to authentic stories about our lives, the more support we'll get throughout the fabric of American culture," (Associated Press)
Others are speaking out against the film, urging theaters to not show it. (I can’t help but think of Clockwork Orange – ban that which scares you.) A megaplex near Salt Lake City pulled the film without explanation last Friday. No explanation is really needed.
Robert Knight, director of Concerned Women for America's Culture and Family Institute, wrote on their website about the film: "It's a mockery of the Western genre embodied by every movie cowboy from John Wayne to Gene Autry to Kevin Costner." (Unfortunately, Mr. Knight doesn’t realize that technically, Brokeback Mountain isn’t a Western. And it’s funny that he mentions John Wayne, what with all the rumors that he was gay).
It seems to me that discussion of a film is a healthy thing, whether one agrees with the film’s message or not. Freedom of speech is good. But keeping people from having the opportunity to make their own decisions is such a decidedly uneducated approach that I don’t even know where to start. So I won’t. Just glad I don’t live in Utah. (Great Utah film: SLC Punk. Best opening scene.)
I suppose I am surprised at the response to Brokeback Mountain because I don’t really see what the big deal is. What I saw was a beautifully shot and superbly acted film about a couple of people who fall in love, and against the odds, try to make it work. Like Romeo and Juliet. Or Heaven. Or Princess Bride. Or any love story ever told.
So, what really bothers the nay-sayers about this film? Is it the cowboy thing? The fact that a man could possibly be gay and not be wearing a pink shirt and speaking with an 80’s valley girl accent? The characters in Brokeback are rough, tough, blue jeans and boots American cowboys. And they’re gay. This seems to be the nerve which has been hit – that the Marlboro Man could be gay. It scares people.
The funny thing is that the theaters and people banning the film are actually advertising for it, because they are making the news and creating even more buzz and interest. It’s too bad for those who are not afforded the opportunity to see this powerful love story, but for those of you who do have the chance, you really ought to see it. I think anyone will be able to relate to the story, even if you’re not a gay cowboy.
Others are speaking out against the film, urging theaters to not show it. (I can’t help but think of Clockwork Orange – ban that which scares you.) A megaplex near Salt Lake City pulled the film without explanation last Friday. No explanation is really needed.
Robert Knight, director of Concerned Women for America's Culture and Family Institute, wrote on their website about the film: "It's a mockery of the Western genre embodied by every movie cowboy from John Wayne to Gene Autry to Kevin Costner." (Unfortunately, Mr. Knight doesn’t realize that technically, Brokeback Mountain isn’t a Western. And it’s funny that he mentions John Wayne, what with all the rumors that he was gay).
It seems to me that discussion of a film is a healthy thing, whether one agrees with the film’s message or not. Freedom of speech is good. But keeping people from having the opportunity to make their own decisions is such a decidedly uneducated approach that I don’t even know where to start. So I won’t. Just glad I don’t live in Utah. (Great Utah film: SLC Punk. Best opening scene.)
I suppose I am surprised at the response to Brokeback Mountain because I don’t really see what the big deal is. What I saw was a beautifully shot and superbly acted film about a couple of people who fall in love, and against the odds, try to make it work. Like Romeo and Juliet. Or Heaven. Or Princess Bride. Or any love story ever told.
So, what really bothers the nay-sayers about this film? Is it the cowboy thing? The fact that a man could possibly be gay and not be wearing a pink shirt and speaking with an 80’s valley girl accent? The characters in Brokeback are rough, tough, blue jeans and boots American cowboys. And they’re gay. This seems to be the nerve which has been hit – that the Marlboro Man could be gay. It scares people.
The funny thing is that the theaters and people banning the film are actually advertising for it, because they are making the news and creating even more buzz and interest. It’s too bad for those who are not afforded the opportunity to see this powerful love story, but for those of you who do have the chance, you really ought to see it. I think anyone will be able to relate to the story, even if you’re not a gay cowboy.
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