As I say in my latest column, I finally got around to seeing "Brokeback Mountain," and I thought it was terrific.
Don’t dismiss this as a "gay cowboy movie," as it’s being dubbed — it’s just a great movie, period, and a good story, well told.
Contrary to some conservative critics, this film is not a plot by liberal Hollywood producers out to push a gay agenda. This film began as a short story written by E. Annie Proulx, one of our best novelists. The script was written by Larry McMurtry, author of "Lonesome Dove," whose Western credentials are impeccable.
McMurtry’s knowledge of and respect for people, language and place in the American West is evident throughout the movie, and the acting is top-notch. Heath Ledger’s performance, in particular, is incredible.
What did you think?
Posted by Randy Scholfield
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32 Comments
Annie Proulx also wrote the novel upon which the movie “The Shipping News” is based upon, for anybody who doesn’t follow American lit. When I lived in China a copy of this movie, as a gift, made quite a hit (my best friend’s wife was pretty darn unexplainbly happy, by my standards anyway, by my CNY-2003 gift of the DVD version starring Kevin Spacey).
Ms. Proulx, who’s pushing 70, is one of the finest American writers living, in my humble opinion. Her grasp of cowboy language is unparalled; John Wayne might well have harbored a secret love for her (no kidding, she’s that fine a writer – imo).
Ms. Proulx moved from NYC on principle, in a set of motives reminiscent of the most principled of American writers of yore. She moved to Montana because she felt she needed to move closer to the language she loves most, high-American prairie American English – a language we in Kansas share in part.
I do not plan on seeing it, I do not go to movies much these days. But as one who loves to write stories. I understand the plot, a good story is about conflict whether it be between a foe or within one’s self.The more extreme the conflict the better the story. imagine the drama if in Rio Lobo while the Duke and company were held up in the jail. He on top of fighting a gang of killer suddenly had to fight an inner attraction to Dean Martin? O.D. on struggle and drama with that one, making a great storyline.
Without seeing the movie I do see where the drama would come from. Often it is not where we plan that the drama in life comes. It is where we end up that is the real drama, no matter how hard we pull to the right sometimes we end up going left and hitting a curb.
I’ll check it out once it comes on Netflix. I don’t go to movies anymore either. I like staying at home.
Yeah! I don’t get the full movie experience, but at least the popcorn and candy is so much cheaper. ;)
writerdog – I would be interested in what you are writing.
I’m with you Joe. I haven’t even seen “Day After Tomorrow” yet. Don’t know that I will ever see Brokeback – I’m afraid it might influence me – and make me like country music! ;^)
I probably won’t even after the good reviews. Personally I don’t think there is anything comming out of Hollywood that I would be willing to pay $25-$30 for (counting food and drinks). I believe (imho) that in general the quality of movies has hit rock bottom and started to dig. Although I will say that the last movie I have seen was Crash and it was very interesting.
btw Ben, “Day After Tomorrow” is pretty good. Not the greatest movie ever (still Independance Day) but not bad.
I know what you are saying K. Movies that tend to be all the rave and winning awards are always a let down to me. I remember “American Beauty” was all the talk, but I thought the movie completely sucked.
Movies that tend to get no fan fare and hype tend to be really good movies. “Kingdom of Heaven” for example is an awesome movie, but recieved little attention.
I also like indi-films, foriegn films and documentaries. That makes up most of my rental activity through Netflix.
Heath Ledger is definately an extremely diverse and talented actor. “A Knight’s Tale” is still one of my favorite movies of the last few years!! Maybe I just liked the cool music?Anyway.. starring in “Brokeback” and “Casanova” at nearly the same time is an incredible feat on his part!
Luckily, there are still a few writers, directors, and actors who make great films. IMHO “Brokeback Mountain” will be a great film like “Casa Blanca” many years from now. But I know what one of you said and agree, much of what is coming out of Hollywood is getting pretty crummy. Not this film, however. It is a tragedy in the traditional sense, as touching and complex as Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet,” and the fact that the main love story is between two men makes it all the more compelling. As a gay man myself, I consider it “our” great love story for the rest of you to see.
As a writer, I am awed by Annie Proulx’s use of language where every word is used precisely; and as one who has an interest in the art of screenwrting, I am impressed by how well the film fits the short story.
RLD
Brokeback Mountain is astonishing. If you fear catharsis, stay away. But if you think that’s what movies are for, go multiple times. It is so compressed that one viewing barely scratches its surface. Two are mandatory. I’m going for my third tomorrow …
Thanks to the atrocious price of movies (Joe, I’m with you), I’ve decided to wait until it makes it to PPV. If I’m going to pay, I want something that’s entertaining and maybe even light-hearted. Something fun, but not necessarily a chick-flick. I’m a sucker for old musicals.
Ben, see “The Day After Tomorrow.” I thought it would be another disaster-type movie, but it certainly gave food for thought and had me on the edge of my seat a couple of times. It was well done.
writerdog, as another writer, I see a lot of room for some huge internal conflict when those two cowboys marry…not each other, but women.
It should be truthful in one respect, they are not cowboys as we in Kansas know them, they herd sheep.
I normally pass on anything that is up for Oscars/Golden Globes, whutever, since usually I (my opinion only) think they are overhyped, overdone and not worth the price of admission.
I enjoyed Brokeback Mountain, tho. The character development, the dialog, the acting was all excellent.
Ground breaking? Possibly…but if you look past the hype, it is truly a great movie.
This was published Friday in the SF Chronicle. I know it is long and has big words, but if you plow through it, the secret to the “gay agenda” is in here. Enjoy.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/01/27/DDGNMGT2I41.DTL&hw=gay+agenda&sn=001&sc=1000
TA, everyone knows cattle producers cant be gay…or can they? I guess I better get out to check on the herefords I see in my pasture !!
farmgrrl, thanks for sharing the article. It’s sad that people still don’t get it.
yeah, you have to question the Oscars when the obviously ignored “The Passion of Christ”.
Does it really surprise you that the hollywood jews ingnored Mel Gibson’s work of art yet they promote filth designed to denegrate a great symbol of White America?
V.L.R.B!!
Hollywood Jews….
That is the kind of narrow minded thinking that seems to permeate the Religious Right these days.
As to the Passion of the Christ I have never been able to sit through the whole movie. I have seen bits and pieces of it, but I would not say that it is a work of art. Gory, over the top, and overly long, and done many times before, though not as gory.
Brokeback Mountain though not a work of art, is a good movie. The writing, characters, and cinematograhpy is outstanding. If you can get past the “gay cowboy” part of the movie, then I feel that you will enjoy it.
I won’t be seeing this movie.I’m mid-west bible belt type, this topic makes me uncomfortableand should stay in the closet.
Do you go to see Ahnold in action movies? Is murder, mayhem, and blood and guts more comfortable for you? Then by all means, dont go watch a love story that makes you uncomfortable. Go see a war picture that features rape, murder, bombs and baby killing. You mid west bible types should be much more at home there.
ksfarmgrrl..
appears you are feeding the troll.Mr Turner = troll
So, anyone who does not subscribe to leftist nonsense regarding “tolerance” is a troll?
Viva La Raza Blanco!!
I agree with Mr Turner – westerns should stay in the closet. And keep their country music there too!
Ben Huie,
Western films, country and bluegrass music are true American art forms and symbols of a better time in our history. Of course, I would not expect people such as you to comprehend that.
V.L.R.B!!
HAHAHAHAHA!
Actually, I enjoy bluegrass. As for westerns, in far too many cases they celebrate genocide – which is of course why you like them.
Well where do I begin ?
Ask any woman whos dating, and she’ll tell men think with their crotch…so lets see you put two guys together and do you think they are thinking about love ??A study in San Francisco showed that gay men have had more partners than their lesbian counter parts. An old saying is “you ain’t in love your in heat.”
Love is :A lie of the mind and body,it don’t exist, its not real.
As far as the the type of movies I watch, most look like they stink. They are either stupid Jerry Lewis type crap or they are a special effects fest with no story.
Looks like Mr. Turner could use a “date” too!! And ya Turner, women just hate sex. We never have any… with people like you!
I just have to laugh when straight men think all I need is the right “date”. I think they are jealous because I am getting more than they are!!
Sorry for feeding the troll, but I am a sucker for a slow softball pitched right over the plate. I’ll swing at it every time.
Poor Mr Turner. Having been married for 34+ years I guess I ahve a rather different perspective on love and sex.
News flash from Turner:
“A study in San Francisco showed that gay men have had more partners than their lesbian counter parts.”
Gee Turner, do ya think straight men have more partners than straight women? Probably not, since straight guys are so known for waiting until marriage to have sex.
Maybe Turner, like a lot of straight guys, would be happier if the “love” scenes would have been between two women? Your stereotypes are showing Turner!
Woo hoo! Those pansy boys must be more studly than previously portrayed.
Since we are talking about sexual orintation try this one……….hetrosexual non-practicing
Mr Turner,If you don’t practice, you never will get it right!
Mr Turner,If you don’t practice, you never will get it right!
Posted by: Jed | January 31, 2006 at 04:09 PM———————————-Practice at dealing with her x.
Practice at dealing with heremotional baggage.
Practice at your stuff is hers.
Practice at sleeping on the couchcause she doesn’t believe your story, even if you got receipts.
Yea ! 5 years of that practice was enough.