I’m not sure whether it’s amusing or discouraging that everyone believes that your typical straight-guy moviegoer is cringing with disgust at the prospect of watching Brokeback Mountain’s Jake Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger (left) make out. Self-described ”red-blooded American male homosexual movie critic” Dave White falls into the amused camp, and he offers a pretty hilarious essay on MSNBC.com in which he reassures such moviegoers that they’ll make it through the film without feeling too icky. I’d add a few points of my own:
1) Sure, some straight guys will be relieved to know there’s only about a minute of man-on-man action in the movie, but I’m not sure that knowing about an Anne Hathaway topless scene is any real compensation. Good to know, yes, but is anyone really going to say, ”I’m not wild about watching two cowpokes swap spit, but I’ll go to the multiplex and sit through it just to glimpse that Princess Diaries chick nekkid”? C’mon, dude, that’s what the DVD is for.
2) White tosses off but does not elaborate much on the observation that ”most Westerns are about 1,000 percent gay.” That may shock most moviegoers, but it’s true. White cites as an example Montgomery Clift’s Red River, but there are countless other examples, where the women are superfluous and the men ride off into the sunset together: Rancho Notorious, The Wild Rovers, Blazing Saddles, Young Guns, The Wild Bunch, Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid, Silverado… and for lesbians, Johnny Guitar, Bad Girls, and Calamity Jane (where Doris Day sings about ”My Secret Love”).
3) And, of course, there isn’t any evidence that movies, including Brokeback Mountain, can make a straight guy into a gay guy. On the other hand, even an uptight straight guy could experience one of the great pleasures of moviegoing: identifying and empathizing with people who initially seem to have nothing in common with you.
Still, I guess I have to ask: Is the gay content going to keep you away from Brokeback? Is it a selling point for you? Or do you plan to see the movie but cover your eyes during the love scenes?
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Oh, it’s a selling point for me. Haven’t you heard? Boys making out is the new girls making out.
I saw a screener of Brokeback Mountain a few weeks ago, and while I absolutely adored it, I can’t deny that I’d been wishing for more prurient scenes.
Jake and Heath are both hot and I can’t wait to see them make out onscreen! Besides, the movie looks like it will have fantastic cinematography and a good storyline.
This movie looks like a tearjerker. I love sad love stories and this one looks good. The gay thing makes it even more interesting; knowing both actors are straight will let us know if they are really good actors or not. I am definitely seeing this movie!
I don’t have much of a desire to see the movie, but I’d like to think that is because I dislike movies that obviously try to be groundbreaking or heartbreaking.
I am a sucker for bittersweet, melancholy love stories, no matter what the gender, so I’ll be there. And if it requires watching Heath and dreamy Jake kiss and touch and share meaningful glances, so much the better! Yum.
Well, I’ve yet to meet a homosexual male who feared watching M/F romances would turn him straight. Seriously, if you’re that terrified of movies where the characters are not exactly like you, I can’t imagine you’d find many to watch at all.
As for whether it’s a selling point.. for me, it’s basically the sole reason I’m interested in seeing this flick.
I agree with Celest, but, despite the fact that watching this movie does not mean that you are gay or have any inclination to be so, the subject matter alone sadly will be enough to prevent a lot of people from experiencing a really good movie. I would like to give Jake and, particularly, Heath credit for starring in the movie. I bet a lot of young “hot” male actors wouldn’t have even entertained the idea.
Last night at a screening of Syriana, during the Brokeback trailer, I heard a few “macho” guys make mocking noises, and I’ve got to admit, there was a part of me that really was truly offended and hurt. I’ve gone to see countless movies featuring straight men and women and still found relatable emotions and characters and nuances, so for people to be disgusted by the thought of someone different finding happiness is a bit frustrating. And let’s keep in mind, I was at The Grove in L.A. (For those of you not in the area, it’s a frou frou urban shopping area that attracts a very L.A. gay-friendly crowd.)
I think the beauty and the draw of this movie is not just that it features a non-stereotypical or -traditional gay couple but also that it doesn’t make a spectacle of such romance. It looks to be a love story with ups and downs just like any movie involving forbidden love or romance.
I agree that those who feel the need to vocalize their feelings so vehemently during the trailer probably need to reassess their own sexual orientation. (Who knows? They might even be able to have more fun if they waste less time hating.)
Straight guys don’t much like to see straight romantic dramas, so why would they be interested in a gay one?
Well, I sure PLANNED to see it. It has been my most-anticipated movie of the year–and I generally can’t stand anything to do with the gay male culture. A good romance is a good romance is a good romance, as far as I’m concerned, and Heath Ledger is Heath Ledger.
That said, I don’t know where all you guys are going to exercise your decision either to see it or not to see it. It opens in FIVE places this Friday. FIVE. When they say limited release, they apparently mean a release so skinny you can’t see it if it turns sideways. For criminy: where the heck are we supposed to view this wonder? The release is so insignificant that doesn’t show up on Yahoo Movies, it doesn’t show up on the main page of Box Office Mojo…nope. It just happens to be on the cover of Premiere and every other entertainment magazine in the known universe, as if, hey, it’s actually going to be available to see. Maybe it will play in Vancouver, gay male capital of Canada, I don’t know. But it sure isn’t saying it is.
Not interested. And the latest issue of EW with the Brokeback actors on it kept me from buying that too, for the first time in years. I buy it EVERY WEEK…until now.
Thing is, I might’ve considered seeing this movie if I wasn’t told to death that I HAD to.
I was interested in this movie before by just word of mouth, but after the ew review came out it made me really want to see this movie. I hope Brokeback Mountain will be as good as the article and the story line suggest.
Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhall? I am so there! And just for the record, Vancouver, Montreal is the gay male capital of Canada. Oh, and by the way. Hank D? It’s time to come out, brother.
I am looking forward to this movie, and the same-sex plotline does not bother me in the slightest. To the contrary, I find the story intriguing, and am eager to see this film because it is, by all accounts, well-scripted, well-acted, and well-directed. I agree that Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal deserve credit for risking their mainstream “cred” by taking on such controversial roles. It got me thinking, though, about other gay male roles that are played by straight actors (Eric McCormack on Will & Grace, Michael C. Hall on Six Feet Under, et al.) — wouldn’t it be nice if, rather than recognizing straight actors for “bravely” playing gay, Hollywood ceased pressuring gay actors to remain closeted and embraced the idea of openly gay actors playing gay roles? It’s a shame, really, that Hollywood remains so sanitized when it comes to sexual orientation. But I digress…
As an avid female and teenage moviegoer, the gya content of Brokeback Mountain most certainly won’t keep me away from the theaters as soon as it comes out. In fact it probably contributes a great deal to my curiosity toward it. I don’t believe there’s been anything so explicitely gay and artful at the same time in a major movie. Especially now after all the rave reviews, I honestly can’t wait the same way I couldn’t wait for Walk The Line to come out.
If someone feels uncomfortable watching a film like this, perhaps they should take a look in the mirror and ask themselves why they feel why that way. Then watch the film again and remember that sometimes filmmakers are trying to help you understand the world a little bit better through their own interpretation of it. To me, that’s the difference between movies and films. Art is still involved in the process…sometimes.
Sadly, I know a lot of straight girls who don’t want to see two gay guys kiss either. In fact, a surprising number of them have said they’d rather see two girls kiss. And since we already know what straight guys would prefer, that doesn’t leave much hope for big breakthroughs in gay media anytime soon.
It hurts to so look forward to a movie as a gay man and hope that people will watch it with an open eye, but know that it’s probably the kind of movie my in-denial sisters will hate (even though they all loved ‘The Notebook’, blah).
To the comment about five cities this weekend: I was disappointed it wasn’t in more soon too, though according to yahoo movies, it will expand even further in January (though probably not to my area of Iowa).
What does it matter?????????????
All through history there have been gay people. They have acted on it in ways incumbent on the times.
Today, in the world of instant knowledge about all things once you are old enough to think, we learn about far worse things than what someone else does in the privacy of their own life. As long as it doesn’t directly affect you, WHAT DIFFERENCE DOES IT MAKE?
What happened to “Make Love Not War?”
I would go see this movie because of:
1. What the story is about.
2. The stars in the movie, and how much I like them.
3. The convience of getting to the theatre.
4. The cost of the ticket.
5. All with the possibility of ‘owning’ a copy of the movie on DVD when it comes out, if I liked it enough.
Obviously the subject of this movie, like all movies, is an important factor, but it is just one part of what this movie is about.
If it offends you, then about 8 to 10 percent of people offend you, because no matter what the percentage of gay people is quoted, there are many many more who can’t admit to anyone, even an anonymous poll taker, that they are gay, because still some people live in their own backward thinking world.
Yes, I will go see this movie. The subject is evidently a love story, set in the old west. I love love stories, and I love the old west, so I should love this movie.
And, 99% of the old B westerns featured a cowboy and his sidekick who rode the west together getting rid of the bad guys and riding off together to the next adventure. Nothing was ever even though about them.
Remember Hopalong Cassidy and his 2 partners? The Cisco Kid and Pancho? Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid? Lash LaRue & Fuzzy St. John? Gene Autry and Smiley Burnette? Roy Rogers & Gabby Hayes?
Anyone who doesn’t see this movie just because of the ‘gay’ aspect of the movie needs to open their eyes to the rest of the people on this planet. You are living in a very narrow minded place on this big planet of ours.
We could get into a whole lecture thingy here about the role of drama and the arts in society since…I don’t know…THE DAWN OF TIME…but instead I will para-phrase:
Some people might tell stories (writers) some other people might find icky (small minded patrons)or containing ideas or viewpoints previously unknown to them (open-minded patrons) performed by some other people (actors) who need money to pay their bills.
Sometimes some people learn some things from some of these stories…this is the intended result. Sometimes some of these stories make some people feel somewhat uncomfortable…this is also okay. But sometimes some of these people don’t ever see the things they feel somewhat upset by and that’s somewhat troubling and smallminded of them.
Wait a second, why are we even having a conversation about this movie?? It’s just a love story between to guys, and this is 2005, everybody, grow up and get over it. Honestly, it’s just a movie; nobody is forcing you to watch it. And about being gay in general, if it doesn’t affect you, why do you care? I don’t even know why I am writing this to tell you guys…You should all know…
I would like to think that everyone will watch this movie with an open mind regardless of the gay content. However, that is not the case. I saw Rent last weekend – and people actually left disgusted out of that movie. They must not have known what it was about. But that movie was pretty tame in comparison to some. I don’t think Brokeback will be a huge hit, but it will do great business for an indie film.
I’m a straight guy and I’m going to see it!!
Well, I am a straight guy and I will go see this movie. I am a big Oscar buff and make it a point to see all the movies up for awards consideration each year. As you can imagine, that leads to having to be open minded about many subject matters. I enjoy movies that challenge me to think about society and outside of my normal everyday life and experience. That is what a movie should be. Entertainment that helps you escape your reality and live in someone’s elses world for a few hours. I think seeing movies such as BM helps people to see life from a different point of view. You don’t have to agree with that lifestyle, but it is a shame if you can’t open your mind and see that not everyone has to make the choices you would make. I should hope that more people will see this movie because of its artistic merit and the possibility that you may learn something about human beings that you don’t already know. I think it will be an excellent film and a wonderful film going experience.
What about all the gay scenes in Six Feet Under? Did that stop straight males from watching the show? I don’t think so.
Aiight people… (No, I’m not black. I’m white. AND I’m gay. But, I just said ‘Aiight’… Deal.) I too, sat in a room full of movie-goers recently, and I too had to listen to the woman behind me go, “Oh! God! Gross!” after the ‘Brokeback Mountain’ trailer. (And then my boyfriend literally had to hold me back in my chair to keep me from trying to rip her throat out of her skinny little neck). Here’s the reality of the situation: (And, I know this because I’m gay and I’m intelligent) **** Anybody who thinks it appropriate or cool to scoff or chortle or comment negatively when they see a preview for a film that involves men kissing or having sex with or making out with other men, are, IN ACTUALITY, subconciously indicating that they THEMSELVES probably are curious about kissing, having sex with, making out with other men. *** So, next time you’re in a movie theatre, and the “straight” dude behind you makes retching noises during the ‘Brokeback’ trailer… make a mental note that you’ll probably see him at your friendly neighborhood gay bar this summer… or you’ll UNDOUBTEDLY see him on gay.com tomorrow night trying to hookup with another dude for a little man-on-man action.
I won’t have to cover my eyes during the love scenes. But, I might when the fear of homphobia keeps them from being together. Happy endings for movies with gay characters are few and far between. Fortunately, dvds have scene selections.
Who cares? If people want to see this movie than that is their choice. If they find two gay men in a romance not to be their idea of a good time then so be it. Forcing ideas on someone is bad not matter which side of the fence you are on.
r_quale: that is the dumbest thing I’ve ever read. Is calling dissenting folks “secretly gay” the best defense you’ve got? And does my disagreement with you make you think I’m gay?
Although there seem to be quite a few ignorant people posting messages here, it’s nice to see an equal number of open minded posts as well. That being said, if I hear one more person say something along the lines of “it’s their choice, let them do what they want” I will scream. Choice? I never had a choice in the matter. Do straight people choose to be straight? Of course not! It’s just the way you are, you were born that way. Gay people do not wake up one day and say, “geee, you know what would be fun? Mabye I’ll be gay.” It would be so much easier to just be straight in our society, but there is no choice in the matter. You are what you are and if you want to be happy you need to be true to yourself. Hopefully this film will help people to understand this. These charcters know who they are deep down and are too afraid to be themselves. It’s tragic and hopefully one day this will no longer be an issue for people. Live and let live.