Brokeback Mountain

[Jamie McDaniel]

Has anyone seen the new movie Brokeback Mountain yet? It was released to select theaters (five in all) last week, but on Dec. 16th, it will be released everywhere.

Here's the trailer.

http://www.apple.com/trailers/focus_features/brokeback_mountain.html

[SolInvictus]

I haven't seen it yet, but want to...

Anyway, seeing Heath & Jake as a couple - hot! LOL Sorry if that was too honest :-)

[Jamie McDaniel]

Anyway, seeing Heath & Jake as a couple - hot! LOL Sorry if that was too honest :-)
An honest, and also quite common, reaction among gay men! I showed the preview to my boyfriend and he was like, "They're gay??"

Also, when I first told him about the movie I said the title all wrong and it's now become a running joke. Very close, but WAY off. :lol:

[tdogg]

My girlfriend and I were in San Francisco this past weekend and were fortunate enough to purchase tickets to one of the Friday Brokeback Mountain showings! It was an awesome movie, excellent script, beautiful cinematography, well acted and very very touching. The music flowed with the movie and didn't overwhelm it. I cried like a baby, along with the gentleman sitting next to me. All showings were sold out before 3pm.

Personally think it should be required viewing for some of my family members, as well as others out in the world! Forgot I was in a movie, it was like having a front row seat glimpse into the two men's lives.

T-dog

[Zerbie]

At another board I post at, LOTS of people have seen Brokeback already and apparently, it lives up to the hype. I haven't seen it yet, but after reading their reviews, I'm really interested. If I DO get a chance to see it soon, I'll come back and tell ya my reaction.

Jamie - I cracked up thinking what you musta said for the movie title if you messed up BROKEback Mountain. Lol!!

[pnggrad79]

I can't wait to see this movie. I will tell ya'll when I do see and what I think about it. :)

[Jamie McDaniel]

Jamie - I cracked up thinking what you musta said for the movie title if you messed up BROKEback Mountain. Lol!!
You know in my defense there is a BEAR in the movie trailer. ;)
http://www.soulforce.org/images/brokeback_mountain.jpg

[Zerbie]

Omigosh Jamie, I am rolling!!

Okay okay, you're exonerated.

:lol:

[SolInvictus]

LOL Jamie :-) Glad I'm in agreement w/ other gay men :-)

[hippie]

Just kind of an update! It's already ended up grossing far more than anyone expected it to. Heath Ledger's been nominated for a Best Actor Golden Globe, and the moiv'es been nominated for a Best Picture Golden Globe :) I'm hoping it wins an Oscar (even though I haven't seen it yet)...

[keltic63]

You know in my defense there is a BEAR in the movie trailer. ;)


I can look right at the title and still say it wrong! :agree:

[fiyero]

I am from the lexington area, but live in chicago now and I had the opportunity to see Brokeback this weekend and believe the hype. It was amazing, but it has so much depth in my opinion that is was hard to say if I loved it or not without letting some time pass to absorb and filter through the intensity of the film. As others here stated it is a beautiful film. Ang Lee is amazing once again and the performances from all involved are unbelievable. In my opinion, they should all be nominated. I am very bothered by the fact that as of now, it seems the film may only be coming to Louisville. My hopes were that it would be playing in Lexington by Christmas, so I could take the family while I am home.
Every showing of the film in Chicago has been sold out(playing at four theaters here). The latest sales figures show the movie has made 3.3 million dollars playing only in 69 theaters. Take and tell everyone you know about the movie. If they are not moved, then they have definitely given their hearts to something very very cold.

[NathanATX]

(I posted this on my blog this Tuesday. blog.myspace.com/nathanatx (http://blog.myspace.com/nathanatx))

Last night, I went with some friends to see Brokeback Mountain. (I'm not going to reveal any plot details.) And now this morning, I'm still stuck in this gloomy fog. Why?

What about this movie leaves me feeling so vulnerable and sad? Maybe it's because I grew up in "small town Oklahoma" and I can easily see how my life could have unfolded like these two guys. What if I hadn't had the courage to come out? Their love was deep and strong... and they were still afraid. On the other hand, maybe they're more courageous than I've ever been.

They weren't afraid to love.

I have very little fear about people knowing I'm gay. If it's an employer, they can do whatever they'd like... I'll be more than happy to sue them and publicize their homophobia. If it's a church that's being hateful & ignorant, I have no problem confronting the issue head on. Even with family. My mother has been a constant source of judgment and homophobia, and while it is upsetting, I have already protected my heart from her. I know who she is and what she can do.

Sometimes I feel like my walls are miles high. And while they might be a source of strength and shelter for other people around me, they often leave me feeling separate & distant from others. That's kind of what I saw in the two characters, the "twin towers"... two guys with incredible walls up, but they were courageous enough to be vulnerable with each other.

Now, I know that having boundaries, limits, & "walls" with some people is a good thing. They do keep me safe... they do prevent idiotic people from being able to affect my mood & behavior. In a ministry or activist setting, they do keep me from getting too entangled in other people's mess. It's hard to help someone out of their mess if you get caught up in it.

Walls can be wise & healthy. A king unguarded risks not only his life, but the stability & lives of his countrymen. Paul talks in the New Testament about putting on the "whole armor of God" to protect you in the evil day. Setting boundaries & limits in your life is about personal responsibility.

But some days, like today, I just want to take off all the "battle gear," walk out of the "castle gates" and forget, if only for a little while, that walls are needed. I want to forget that I can't trust my mother to be kind and loving. I want to forget what I & many others have endured at the hands of "good christians." I want to forget what it was like to realize that love could end.

Psalm 91:1-2 ”He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust."(NIV)

You know, having the walls up and setting boundaries & limits are good things. But I think the reason for having them should be to create that "secret place" where we can be healed, restored & refreshed... in order to prepare us for getting back out there and being the men & women that God is calling us to be. For me that means to be continually forgiving people like my mother. It means reaching out to hurting & needy people. And, yes, it means being open to finding love again.

Psalm 91:14-16 ”If you'll hold on to me for dear life," says GOD, "I'll get you out of any trouble. I'll give you the best of care if you'll only get to know and trust me. Call me and I'll answer, be at your side in bad times; I'll rescue you, then throw you a party. I'll give you a long life, give you a long drink of salvation!" (the Message)

My prayer for myself this morning... and for you... is that we would find the presence of God wherever we are. If we're out on the front lines of our lives or if we're deep in the catacombs of our hearts, weary & wounded... let us keep holding on to God "for dear life."

Have you ever had the experience of comforting a crying baby? Of holding his head next to your heart... speaking or singing soflty to him... and before long he begins to calm down... his breathing matches yours... he's listening to your heart... your arms are holding him tight... and peace just settles on him. That's what God wants from us. He wants us to reach out & cry out to him in those dark times. He will answer you and He will be at your side in bad times. He will rescue you.

[baraka]

Brokeback Mountain is * surprize! * a big hit here in San Francisco; the theater where it is showing has it in 3 screening rooms, and it is breaking attendance records at that venue. And yes, EVERYone calls it "Bareback Mountain". The other movie showing there is "Good Night & Good Luck" but I am guessing most of the people who see it go because the "big" movie got sold out, hence it is now being called "Good Night & Good Luck Getting Into Brokeback Mountain". ;)

IMHO it is a very well done movie with a very sad and heavy story -- kind of like "The Hours" -- technically brilliant, with great performances, but leaving one with a rather depressed spirit. Not that every story has to have a Hollywood happy ending, but I do understand the POV of those who question the ultimate message of "Brokeback Mountain".

It can't be ignored that both of the main characters are deeply flawed morally & ethically. Adulterers who abandoned their families, physically and emotionally, their motivations seem to be fear and lust -- not necessarily a great basis for a loving relationship. And no, I'm not passing judgment on these fictional people, just stating how their actions appeared to me. They are complex and well-drawn characters, not simplistic stereotypes, and the actors did an excellent job of making them sympathetic, even while the audience at times audibly castigated them for the stupidity of some of their actions (and inaction).

Uplifting? No, but probably an important moment in queer cinema. Will it change anyone's mind about Gay marriage? Will it help "the cause" of Gay rights? Feedback?

[pnggrad79]

My wife and I saw it last night, and I thought it was very poignant and moving, and I saw a lot of mine and my wife's chronology in the film. However, two things struck me. One is that is was a crying shame that Ennis was never able to make a committment other than several interludes to Jack, when that is all he wanted. They both had it so bad for the other one but in their minds and in the time in which they lived, it was not acceptable and that is a shame and tragedy. The other thing I noticed was that these guys never had the chance to step out of the fantasy love they had for each other and get a taste of loving each other when there is a mortgage and bills to pay and kids to raise through sickness and health, when it is good and when it isn't. They never got real life with each other, so they stayed stuck in a fantasy which was all they had or could have at the time. They never got all of each other. Their love was real, but it was incomplete. That was the real tragedy.

I think the lesson it teaches is if you find love in this world that knocks your socks off, and reaches down deep in your soul and you know that this is person you want to spend your life with, build that life, no matter what it costs. Love is so hard to find much less keep. If we are to show the world that we are to be taken seriously as gay people, we need to start building relationships with each other and show them that committment, love and longevity does happen in GLBT relationships.

All in all, a good movie, but don't expect it to make you feel better. :tup:

[kara speltz]

I went to see Brokeback Mountain with a close male gay friend of mine and we were both deeply touched by the love story. In retrospect, I was surprised I didn't cry during the movie, because these days I cry at the drop of a hat. I think the reason was that both Michael and I had been out long enough that we had livedthe experience in our own lives - both of us have been out over 20+ years. I think the director was wise in showing the oppression in a "understated" manner. It reminded me of a scene in Harold and Maude where her tattoo from the concentration camp was shown for something like 20 seconds. Very understated and very moving.

I'm really glad that this movie was made and that its such a success. My hope is that it will give some insight for straights to comprehend the oppression in our lives. It is simply a love story - a surprise to both of the characters. I celebrate their love and I celebrate that a heterosexual could create such a moving movie about our lives. Ultimately it restates again, that we are all one - that our differences are simply part of the wondrous diversity in our lives. Happy New Year - 2006 has to be better than 2005 - I'm sure of that. Kara

[ksjr362]

Oddly enough. There is no advertising in my local area (Upstate NY) except on LOGO from a satellite feed.

Supposedly there is on theater in our local mall playing Brokeback, but this cannot be confirmed by calling them. My understanding is that the movie poster at the mall does not show Jake and Heath, but something along the lines of the male/female couples.

My husband and I are going to venture to the mall to see if the movie is actually showing there.

Most likely they are afraid of being protested by some groups if they make it apparent that the movie is showing.

Whatever, my partner and I will see it, even if we have to wait for PPV on satellite. :mad:

[Spaught]

I have not seen it, but my girlfriend saw it with a friend of hers, and she loved it. I'll probably wait until I can rent it.

-Courtney

[keltic63]

finally! it made it to Pittsburgh and I saw it this evening. It's a beautiful movie, full of passion, and a great love story. It hit home for me, having been in a straight marriage. Like others, I was left feeling vulnerable and depressed. I think that's because we found something with which we can identify. AND, I'm sure we were all hoping that true love would win out.

[BobVB]

One is that is was a crying shame that Ennis was never able to make a committment other than several interludes to Jack, when that is all he wanted.
Which is why he had only one question for his daughter on her impending marriage. He learned his lessons, he just learned them too late.

[schoolboi]

Here is my press release:

Local Gay Activists Celebrates Brokeback Mountain's Potential to Change Hearts and Minds
Contact: Corey H
Phone: Email:

LYNCHBURG, Friday, January 20, 2006- Local gay activists hailed the opening of "Brokeback Mountain” in Lynchburg. The Focus Features film, directed by Ang Lee ("Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon," "Sense and Sensibility") and starring Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal as cowboys whose love spans two decades, opens in Lynchburg on Jan. 20.
"'Brokeback Mountain' is one of the most poignant love stories I've ever seen committed to film," said Corey H. "This film has tremendous potential to connect with audiences gay and straight alike. People will relate to these characters and to the emotional authenticity of their story. What 'Brokeback Mountain' does is allow audiences to experience, on an intensely emotional level, how ignorance and intolerance can force people to deny their love and deny who they are," Corey H continued.
" 'Brokeback Mountain' is a love story -- a story about relationships that has a timeless quality and universal appeal," Corey H. said. "Critics are overwhelmingly embracing this film, and it's easy to see why. It's a magnificently-crafted love story that works on every level imaginable. It's exactly the kind of thing people go to the movies to experience in the first place."
"Brokeback Mountain" is a Focus Features production, directed by Academy Award-winner Ang Lee, written by Diana Ossana and Pulitzer Prize-winner Larry McMurtry, based on a short story by Pulitzer Prize-winner Annie Proulx.

[Jennifer5]

Well written... it sounds like everyone really needs to see this movie...

[NonLemming]

I feel the same as Nathan the day after, quite sad. It is a very good film and didn't know what to expect at the box office since I live in the "all-so-progressive" South. I was pleased to see a majority of married couples there as well as a lot of elderly people. Spoke with a single elderly lady next to me after the showing and she said she liked it but was surprised it was up for an Oscar. We both agreed that we wanted to brush our teeth after seeing almost every character smoking for over two hours. Heath Ledger is incredible in his role. He does more acting with his expressions that with his few lines.
Beautifully filmed, poignant, deep, disturbing, yet ultimately about love. A love that not all will be able to wrap their brains around, but a real love nonetheless.

[SolInvictus]

Agreed: I finally saw this film this afternoon & its a great film. Its very real & hopefully will help heterosexuals realize we are no different from then in regards to love. This film was a bit like a classic Greek tragedy: finding love & then having it taken away. Hopefully, people will also see that homophobia is a disease & a social evil - homophobia kills people, to put it bluntly.

[Zerbie]

It's a very tight movie and very well fleshed-out from the short story. The tragedy has many aspects, as it does in it's real life counterparts, and we are briefly shown how it begins for Ennis, with that episode where his dad shows him the body of that man they mutilated and murdered. Impressions made that young can shape people for life, and so we have Ennis discovering his sexuality and at the same time he has that ingrained belief that a similar fate can happen to him. So he walls himself off from everyone in his life, even from Jack in ways. Jack is the Only person he ever lets through those walls at times, but he never allows that relationship to grow, though Jack is willing to take a chance on following through and changing their lives to make it work.

Personally, it struck me as odd that I didn't cry a single tear at this movie. I was deeply drawn in, but didn't have any tears for it. I wonder why and postulate maybe I had my expectations too high, expecting to be devastated? Or maybe since I've cried over so many tragic stories like this in real life, I just don't have tears left over for a work of fiction. I don't know. I have a (gay male) friend who seemed amazed that I didn't cry. He related to this film so strongly that he went and saw it two nights in a row.

[JoeyNTerryLvJesus]

I have seen the movie Brokeback Mountain twice. First in Atlanta, and then in Chattanooga. I loved it! I can't wait until it comes out on DVD:D

Have a good evening,
Joey :)

[Jennifer5]

Does anyone know when it does come out on DVD? I would love to see it but I don't know if I'll get a chance to see it in threaters...

[JoeyNTerryLvJesus]

Jennifer I am not sure when Brokeback will come out on DVD. If anyone finds out anything about it, let me know.

Peace,
Joey :)

[SolInvictus]

Possible DVD release date (as found on amazon.com):
April 6, 2006

[Jennifer5]

Okay, Thanks ..... don't know if I can wait that long... this movie sounds really good.

[SolInvictus]

You're welcome & its a great film.

[Jennifer5]

Can't wait I'll just have to find time and money!

[Steven E. Webster]

Friends,
I just went to Barnes and Noble and bought the little booklet that contains the original short story "Brokeback Mountain." It has the scene from the movie poster on the cover. I sat right down in the bookstore coffee shop and read the whole thing.

Wow! The movie really did follow the short story very closely! I think reading the short story does help clarify some of the message of the movie, and it confirms my understanding of what happened.

The shortstory actually begins with a little piece of Ennis' life that happens after the movie ends, and the story told in the movie is a "flash back" in the short story. This introduction to the short story confirms that Ennis continues to have a relationship with his now married, adult daughter (she obviously cared about him in the movie which ended as she plans to marry). It also confirms what is said by one of the songs in the soundtrack (my office mate and I at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Madison play the sound track over and over again!)--"I know a love that will never grow old."

It pisses me off that a review of the movie in a Methodist publication I just read simply dismisses it as a story about "adultery," and that discussion questions for viewers it suggests starts off with a discssion of the negative effects of "adultery" on families.

And, by the way, I heard Rodney Powell's ex-wife interviewed on a local radio station on the subject of the early civil rights movement--the interviewer, who is gay, brought up Brokeback Mountain and asked her about her experience as the former wife of a gay man. She had very good things to say. It obviously was difficult, but she feels now that it was very good that Rodney came to accept and to be the man that he is as a gay man.

Well, I could just go on and on, but I won't

Steven Webster

[Zerbie]

Hi Steven, go on as long as ya want. That's what the discussion board is for, and BB has so many layers, we could go on much longer than this talking about it.

Agreed. The movie follows the story script very closely. That struck me as I watched the movie - and imagine the difficulty, given the brevity of the story, of expanding that into 2 hours and filling it! Which they did, without boring the audience.

The movie is about so much more than just adultery. Omigosh - these people NEED to go see the movie! Presenting the story from the point of view of the 2 men does not make the movie an endorsement of adultery. It's just a movie!! A very good movie, but it's meant to be watched and taken as is, not as an endorsement (I believe). I think it's fantastic that we finally have a feature film reaching the mainstream audiences that depicts the kind of tragedy that ensues when we as a society force and pressure gay people to live up to a heterosexual "lifestyle" that is not consonant with their inner reality. Rather than blaming the guys for being "selfish", why don't these naysayers look to the forces that drive gay men into these painful and destructive relationships? Then the heartbreak would be averted for all. However obvious that may appear to us, there are so many gay/lesbian folks even now going through suffering much like the movie depicts. Still. When will it stop?

[tampabehrcub]

Me and my spouce went and seen it with a group of friends we all left the movie in tears most of us in the group were 35+ y/o men and woman after that we went to a local coffee house to discuss how we have not had very many changes in society from the way they look at us then and now we still have especially here in the tampa , florida are can not even express pride together because of our loved county commision forbiding gay pride events in all county buiesnesses and county property . the over all view of the movie for us was that it was very well done and had a lot of great moments of passion but would have been better if it would have ended with them both finally getting together and living life together most of the group here still remeber having to live their lives in secret and know they are being told that they must do this again

[keltic63]

I went to see it again last night and took my daughter because she wanted to see it. This time was tougher because I knew what was happening and could catch some things that I may have missed the first time. It really does leave me sad at the end. I find myself identifying with the characters because I too was in a straight marriage and felt trapped. I know that I am blessed to be able to live an open and honest life now; it's doubtful that Jack and Ennis could have done so, in that culture, in that time. It also makes me appreciate what I have with my SO.

[Vanessa White]

I have yet to see it. What did your daughter think of it, Keltic? I am not sure if I would rather go alone (my partner is not interested in it at all) or wait for the DVD release.

[keltic63]

I have yet to see it. What did your daughter think of it, Keltic? I am not sure if I would rather go alone (my partner is not interested in it at all) or wait for the DVD release.

my daughter liked it, but agreed that it's not the "feel-good movie of the year." I think she was able to see some of the things I've experienced and understand some of the emotions by watching the movie with me. She had a lot of questions about it afterward and said she'd like to read the short story now.

[Vanessa White]

That sounds like good use of your time with her. I am glad that you two could dialogue about it after. Peace.

[Jennifer5]

How old is she?

[Zerbie]

I vote for seeing it in the movie theater. It's a movie that really sets an atmosphere, and that imo works better on the large screen.

[keltic63]

How old is she?

she's 18 going on 45. very mature. very bright. loves to read. loves music, just like her dad. so much like me, that we often butt heads.

[NonLemming]

Keltic, you make me want to go and see it again. I think I will do that this weekend. Thanks for the reminders of how good this was.

[Jamie McDaniel]

Back in January, I, along with my boyfriend and three other gay guys, saw Brokeback Mountain for the first time. I don't know if it was all the hype surrounding the movie or if it was because Ennis and Jack were so ... how to word this... so flying stealth on Jamie's gaydar, but my reaction to seeing Brokeback the first time was somewhat negative.

So I decided not to post anything or even read this thread until I saw it a second time. Well, last week I went back to see it again, and it was sooo much better for me the second time. I had missed lots of things. Things such as Ennis saying, "I can't believe I left my shirt up on the mountain." And the fact that Jack drove all the way from Texas to Wyoming upon hearing of Ennis' divorce and then having to turn right back and drive home. The second time around, it really stood out to me how much Jack yearned for a real day-to-day relationship with Ennis. He was willing to make it happen, whereas Ennis was more hesitant.

With Ennis saying so little and generally mumbling when he did talk, I missed some of his tenderness the first time. I was distracted by his fighting (another deduction on the gay test, my manual lists minus 1 for fist fighting, minus 20 for pulling people out of moving vehicles to do it.) But I caught the glimpses into his tenderness the second time around. Things like his stating, "This ain't Alma's fault" to Jack. His kidding Jack about the harmonica. And then of course the ending where he decides to go visit Jack's parents.

Definitely more powerful the second time for me.