1. You know, I agree with this, but in some way I disagree. Granted, it wasn't not a grand revolutionary force, however it is a good film to boil down to its basic plot structure and show people that the star-crossed lovers theme can be applied anywhere, and by extension that the theme of love can be applied everywhere (I know, kind of a stupid thing, but you wouldn't believe the people who can't understand this, but give them a story with similar plot elements, but straight and bam it's a wonderful romance) on the flip side, the director (whilst a pretty good director) was straight, who involved two straight (admittedly I thought they were pretty hot, but still) actors. For something like this, we can't look to Hollywood, mainstream almost never creates a revolution, it's always the "indy" films that could spark a revolution, the problem is getting the film seen enough to spark said revolution and I doubt that will happen, especially with something that deals with gays as a *gasp* positive thing. I mean that would just cause the gay to spread (I'm convinced that there are two camps of people who think like this out there, one it's some weird disease that you can catch by the slightest exposure and the other one it's like a werewolf, except you have to be raped by a gay to be gay (just look at all those ex-gay testimonies, a lot of rape goes on...for some reason))

Posted at 8:18PM on Oct 26th 2007 by Nigel

2. It's quite startling that Hollywood cannot make a gay drama, romance, or comedy. Given all of our people in the biz, from the Geffen downward, one would think they could come up with something decent. The last one I saw was Adam and Steve, a very clever film, but probably done by an independent. Just think what they could do with the budget and talent of one of the major studios. But don't hold your breath. Culturally, LA is one giant trailer park, with next to no taste and zero integrity, and the industry is mostly into making shallow trash. So whatever you do, do not write a script with any middle class or educated elements. Because they will copy it, twice, and strip it of every bit of civilized culture.

Posted at 11:47PM on Oct 26th 2007 by Will

3. I'm gay (well my boyfriend re-assures me of that every now and then) and I hated Brokeback Mountain, so did my Boyfriend for the record.

I can remember not being "out of the closet but dating my boyfriend" going to the theaters to see Hollywood's latest mainstream culture shock. I guess what I hated so much about the movie is the whole "we're straight, have kids, had random sex one night" to quote you Richard. "written by a heterosexual, directed by a heterosexual, starring heterosexuals...I'm sorry, what was gay about it?" Well said and exactly, exactly what I was thinking.

It's funny when straight people don't know what to talk about to a gay guy so they bring up, Brokeback mountain and then I tell them I hated the movie and it absolutely silences them. This has happened a few times too. So then (since I'm a nice guy) I try to tell them the music was beautiful...

Posted at 9:46AM on Oct 27th 2007 by Andrew

4. I thought Brokeback was a good film. And really, how should it matter with the actors were straight or not? That's what acting is after all. No matter what role you play, it shouldn't matter who you are personally, as long as you play the role well. And that's what they did. Ang Lee it some amazing cinamatography, and an overall good job. Tell me another mainstream film you've seen that was so open with the subject, since Philidalphia.
You're complaining about something you should be happy for. No is didn't inspire the great change in the wind it could have. This is still America after all. But it was a step.

Posted at 9:57AM on Oct 28th 2007 by Francis

5. I agree with Francis that actors should be able to play any part. And it was a beautiful film. I did like it at first. But it was a tragedy, which there has been too much of in our history. And though I think it's important for the world to see what we have gone through, looking back, the film cuts too close to home, and it only depresses me.

Posted at 6:11PM on Oct 28th 2007 by Will

6. "written by a heterosexual, directed by a heterosexual, starring heterosexuals..."
Does a movie has to be made by gay people to be relevant to gay people? The fact that heterosexuals were so involved IS important. Some time ago, who would be the only ones interested in making this movie?

Posted at 11:07AM on Oct 29th 2007 by Erick

7. Francis - you may not like my rebuttal but for some of us that "step" is taking to long to come and go. It's 2007 for crying out loud give us our rights already and let's stop talking/ bickering/ranting about how being gay is so negative..

For the record Francis I was complaining because HOLLYWOOD is "notorious for pushing the envelope" but couldn't make it authentic and have some real gays in the film. So what was really gay about that film? The movie was about 2 straight guys both with families. After all it had to appeal to the straight audience (since they make up the majority of moviegoers).

I'm assuming you haven't seen the opposite end of the spectrum. Although Brokeback made gays more visible it also added to the homophobia that is out there. People are using brokeback as a negative term like for instance "that's so brokeback" ..and I will point out that Richard was referring to the movie Brokeback Mountain as being a revolutionary change what brokeback mountain also did was add to the homophobes arsenal. I've witnessed it on more than a few occasions and it's quite pathetic to hear people use a movie as a negative way to disparage someone.

I should be happy huh? No, I'm not going to be happy just yet, because it will take more than just a [any stupid] movie to change homophobia. So like a few others, I am very disappointed at the outcome of brokeback mountain and with disappointment comes complaints and with complaints comes people who complain about complainers. But then hopefully change arrives only to start the cycle over again.

PS. You should expand your cinema viewing to more than just mainstream hollywood "stuff." You just may enjoy a different story then the recycled garbage in movies today.

Posted at 9:58AM on Oct 30th 2007 by Andrew

8. I thought the movie did not even move any of our issues: if you find same sex love you either are killed or lonely. Wow, surely enlightened some viewers, heh, NOT!

ciao

Posted at 7:08PM on Oct 30th 2007 by jam

9. Yes it has been two years since Brokeback Mountain was released. There is one thing that has not changed before, during, or after Brokeback Mountain.

Film Producers produce films to make a profit. Women and men who produce films don't get into such things expecting to lose money. They don't stay employed as Producers if they continue to lose money. It's a business and it always was and will be.

Yes there is an artistic and creative sides to film production. But, creative genius or stupidity won't see the light of day unless the bottom line is expected to be profitable.

Brokeback Mountain became a movie because the people who produced it thought they had a winning formula. They were right.

If there is a shortage of good gay and lesbian cinema out there then perhaps this shortage exists because the folks who make movies don't see any profit potential?

Posted at 7:44PM on Oct 30th 2007 by John Lessar

10. Andrew,

You hated Brokeback Mountain and you have to guess why? As a love story, it flops. As a story of homophobia it's a classic. It's epic. It throughly washes over the viewer like a tidal wave. Society hates Jack and Ennis. They hate themselves. The combination of the perfect storm of hate poisons every single person who comes in contact with Jack and Ennis. That is what homophobia is and and that is what it does to people.

It is a tough film to watch. Sometimes truthful things are not easy to watch and learn about.

Posted at 7:53PM on Oct 30th 2007 by John Lessar

11. Funny, I remember expecting all these BB Mountain imitators to come out after Brokeback Mountain and cash in on the trend, unfortunately though, there was no trend. I'm still bitter about that one.

Posted at 3:36PM on Nov 5th 2007 by Tony Smith

12. That's so true that the word "brokeback" has become synonymous with the word "gay".
Both words have a negative connotation. It's not "that's so gay" anymore. It's "that's so brokeback"
And I don't think that's much of a step in the right direction.

Posted at 11:41PM on Nov 12th 2007 by James

13. Hope the revolution can give gay more support. Just like the site http://www.biloves.com. They give all support to gay. I think it's great.

Posted at 8:58AM on Nov 16th 2007 by cathyjulee

14. Michael,

November 2nd you made a comment.
Are you gay and serious with a sense of humor that is SERIOUSLY LACKING anything that remotely resembles comic substance or are you a hetero jackass with a sense of humor that is so incredibly stunted and politically incorrect????? I dont get it...
I'm not trying to be so so serious... but if WE as gay people stop taking ourselves seriously and get in this habit of making "gay jokes" then what impression does that give homophobes? It makes them think, ok well if he jokes about being a fag then I can call him that too...

When people try those gay jokes on me I let them know that it is inappropriate.

I dont know... what do you guys think about it???

As far as the gay revolution... it is hard to get any real footing when queers and gay lifestyle are rooted as the butt of all jokes STILL in this day and age in the media... for example, Family Guy -- how many gay jokes are tossed into each episode??? Regarding Brokeback, I have to agree with Jam -- How did that movie help us? The movie WAS beautiful and SO incredibly sad, but gay men are still a JOKE to so many people. I just heard a story about a REAL persian woman whos lover was shot in an Iran prison... she escaped with the help of a guard her father paid off ... upon escaping was shot in the back and the head. She survived and moved to Canada where she is now a very wealthy engineer. THAT is a brave and happy story. Make a movie about THAT!!!!

I didnt realize that being gay would typify me as JUST THAT... there is more to me than who I love...

Bah, I apologize, I am preaching.

I digress.

Posted at 12:27PM on Dec 4th 2007 by beansprout

15. I am gay (no way, I am not) Oh yes I am... what the hay!!! From the way some of you talk here, I am bewildered. You all must be young. I remember... Lord I remember... The times you would hear of any queer thing, it would be a tragedy. You all sound as if you define yourself as GAY. I do not now or have I ever felt comfortable having gay as part of my resume. I am still of old school. Still of a time when you did not tell. Not for fear of losing face but for fear of losing LIFE. There was (and still is for some)a time that any inkling of homosexuality was hazardous to your life and future. This movie, Brokeback Mountain, is about that time. God never blessed me with a true love as in the movie, but only because I am not only in the closet but hiding in the box in the back in a box that's in a box, in a box like the nesting sets from the Baltics. I am old fashioned and Christian. No, I do not think that is a contradiction with my homosexuality as God created me and He well knows that I did not CHOOSE this willingly. I truly wish I had taken the more open path but I was and still am scared of the conciquences. That's my problem of my own creation. You all must be young to complain that this movie does not have a revolutionary following. It was not made to insight revolt. It was made to show that LOVE takes many forms. It is a classic storyline. Shakespear did the same story. A classic Romeo & Juliet story. Forbidden love. Understand that these actors are actors. HOW MANY GAY ACTORS PLAY STRAIGHT PARTS???? We live in a day and age where we have all gay channels such as LOGO and others I do not know of. Showtime had series of gay shows such as Queer As Folk, and Tales From The City as well as many prime time shows on numerous channels including broadcast TV That depict gay life. Some were humorous and some extreme while others were realistic. If there was a show on TV when I was growing up I never saw it. I am not saying that the war is over but I am saying that a lot of battles have been won. Let us celebrate and rejoice in that while we prepare for the next battle. That one movie did not insight the revolt you wanted does not make that movie a flop and for sure does not mean it should never have been made. Do not for one second think that Brokeback Mountain does not depict the Gay life. It does, in spades, for the era depicted. How can you know where you are headed if you do not know where you have been. Do not go in circles. Study the success and failures of the battles fought that give you the freedoms to stand up and fight today's battles. Thank you for allowing me this voice. Martin

Posted at 10:27AM on Dec 9th 2007 by Martin

16. Solemn article. It make me lost in thoughts.

Posted at 4:31AM on Dec 21st 2007 by Lucas

17. I was told to watch it by an older lady friend (70) she said it was good and helped her to
sympathize with gays more. REALLY - it didn't
do that for me. All I could think of was some of
this story is missing - like they BOTH have done this before, cause they BOTH knew what to do.
I mean if that had of been me - if I guy made a move like that on me he would get punched out and
I don't care where we are at - I had better be in prison and tied down and then they better all hide
afterwards cause it's take down 101 now.
It's just they seemed so detached from the women
in their lives who seemed to be just breed cows
and the real breadwinners. It was so obvious they both wasted their life thinking about bending over on Brokeback. I don't think real
gays would like to be portrayed like dumb cowboys
good for nothing but a cow-poke. I just found the
story line vague and the men very weak. At least they were not verbal bashing straight people the way gays are starting to do, tsk, tsk, and you
gays are suppose to be so sensitive and talented.
Your just human beings like everyone else - your just doing another sin - like everyone else and
you will reap just like everyone else. Man didn't and never said sodomy was bad - GOD says
it is and his word is final as far as I am concerned - the creator is real more real than
even your feelings. This movie starts out in the early 60's and ends in the early 80's before AIDS became prevelant, what really pissed me
off about this movie - no not the Down low bitching these guys did, not being bi although
that killed a lot of women an babies later and is
one reason why I don't care for gay ways, It was
what his wife said, the buttpucker never even did
ANY fishing at all - NOW THAT IS GAY! These guys were so anxious to get to each others stiffies they didn't have any other fun in the woods but
that. It's like both their lives got put on hold
once the gay sex started. Humm - love does not
get together 3 times a year just to bunghole rut
in the woods - but carnal lust does. So they were
both gay - now a days they wouldn't get married and have children with a woman - unless that is what they really want to do. And they are not
going to be kissing at the backdoor where wifey
can see either. The movie didn't make much since to me - I thought Sodom and Gammorah was a much
better story with a better ending that made since.

Posted at 7:14PM on Jan 15th 2008 by killy

18. We will have really achieved something when a movie has gay characters but is described just as a mystery or a love story – not a “gay” cowboy movie or a “gay” adoption movie.

Posted at 3:38AM on Jan 17th 2008 by Steven

19. i saw the film Brokeback Mountain last year.i think it's a good movie.both of them acted good.Relationship-minded lesbian singles will have an exciting and genuine option for serious dating - FemMSo, OneGoodLove.com .lesbianconnect.com is a good website

Posted at 6:59AM on Jan 18th 2008 by lou

20. I think Brokeback was wonderful, especially when the dark haired sex machine was reaching for his buddies nuts in the tent.Thousands of queers went to the theatres to see a single movie as well as hetro's. I even cornholed my buddy in the balcony of a low budget theatre on the 4th time I watched it.It gave me great pride to watch a movie about our people , the gays.

Posted at 4:01PM on Feb 3rd 2008 by Michael