Brokeback Mountain: Our Community's Common Bond > Brokeback Mountain Open Forum
Dealing With the Brokeback Non-Believers
ednbarby:
--- Quote from: DavidinHartford on May 24, 2006, 07:22:58 pm ---The ones that bother me are the "I wont watch it because it was over hyped" types.
--- End quote ---
Oh, no doubt! That's *exactly* what that ex-friend I alluded to in my initial post of the Ridiculous/Sublime thread is trying to pass off as her reason for not seeing it, this after she says to me, and I quote, "I'm tired of people getting labeled as homophobes just because they don't view homosexuals the same way Ang Lee does."
We got PMing each other in a little mini-debate (mini- only because I decided it wasn't worth my time, and because the last thing I said to her probably made her so mad she'll never write to me again). I told her I didn't want to argue anymore, let's just agree to disagree, etc. She could have let it drop, but she fires back, "I can't believe you'd sacrifice a friendship because of a movie." I wrote back "I'm not sacrificing our friendship because of a movie. I'm sacrificing our friendship because you *are* a shameless homophobe. Hey, if the label fits..."
Am I being too harsh, myself, in judging others? I worry that in a way I'm guilty of the very thing I so strongly preach against - intolerance. I mean, if I were truly universally tolerant, I suppose I'd have some compassion for the ignorant, too.
pinku:
Both the book and movie are highly disturbing! I can't pinpoint a single reason, really! I mean I have read several books, watched lots of Movies both Indian and otherwise but none have affected me as much as this duo. Before I saw the movie I was quite fat, but suddenly after I had watched it - I went into a crash diet and exercise regime and have managed to reduce few pounds. What I mean is that this BOOK is a MIRACLE. I might hurt some people but I have started comparing this book with holy books like BIBLE and GITA!
YES THIS IS A HOLY BOOK! A MIRACLE! AN INSTITUTION! I PREDICT A CULT FOLLOWING FOR THIS BEAUTY!
ghent:
--- Quote ---- the movie continued the stereotype that gay men can't maintain relationships;
- it had two gay guys that refused to settle down with each other;
- it was depressing and an overall negative for the gay community;
- it showed gay people living lies and hurting women and children.
--- End quote ---
I loved BBM, but I can understand why certain gays and lesbians might hate it. Ennis Del-Mar, in particular, is little more than an extremely dysfunctional, pathologically incurious, hopelessly repressed, maddeningly inarticulate, straight man with the libidinous equivalent of a bad toothache that he can't get rid of. Replace Ennis' homosexuality, such as it is, with a gambling addiction or alchoholism, and BBM is just Lonesome Dove circa 1963, a depressing western that has been told many times before. For post-Stonewall queers, especially queers in long-term relationships living in urban areas, the Ennis Del Mar character is dated, a painful throwback to an earlier era.
The Jack Twist of 'BBM-the movie', on the other hand, is something to celebrate. A well-adjusted, personable, rural, out (to himself) gay man who believes in love and long-lasting commitment is something that mainstream America has never seen in a Hollywood film.
My suspicion, therefore, is that some post-Stonewall queers perceive BBM as Ennis-centric, while other perceive BBM as Jack-centric. Those in the latter category probably enjoy the film more, cry only when Jack suffers, and remain relatively unmoved by Ennis' suffering on his job, in his family, and in his relationship with Jack.
Aussie Chris:
--- Quote from: ghent on May 26, 2006, 12:26:02 am ---I loved BBM, but I can understand why certain gays and lesbians might hate it. Ennis Del-Mar, in particular, is little more than an extremely dysfunctional, pathologically incurious, hopelessly repressed, maddeningly inarticulate, straight man with the libidinous equivalent of a bad toothache that he can't get rid of. Replace Ennis' homosexuality, such as it is, with a gambling addiction or alchoholism, and BBM is just Lonesome Dove circa 1963, a depressing western that has been told many times before. For post-Stonewall queers, especially queers in long-term relationships living in urban areas, the Ennis Del Mar character is dated, a painful throwback to an earlier era.
--- End quote ---
Wow ghent, the way you say this makes me think that you actually agree with this sentiment.
Quick, tell me something you like about BBM and rescue me from this thought!
--- Quote ---My suspicion, therefore, is that some post-Stonewall queers perceive BBM as Ennis-centric, while other perceive BBM as Jack-centric. Those in the latter category probably enjoy the film more, cry only when Jack suffers, and remain relatively unmoved by Ennis' suffering on his job, in his family, and in his relationship with Jack.
--- End quote ---
I couldn't disagree with this more. No, no, no. Please tell me this isn't true! BBM is not Ennis-centric or Jack-centric, it's Ennis-And-Jack-centric. Please, say something nice quickly. These thoughts are scary! ???
opinionista:
--- Quote from: ghent on May 26, 2006, 12:26:02 am ---I loved BBM, but I can understand why certain gays and lesbians might hate it. Ennis Del-Mar, in particular, is little more than an extremely dysfunctional, pathologically incurious, hopelessly repressed, maddeningly inarticulate, straight man with the libidinous equivalent of a bad toothache that he can't get rid of. Replace Ennis' homosexuality, such as it is, with a gambling addiction or alchoholism, and BBM is just Lonesome Dove circa 1963, a depressing western that has been told many times before. For post-Stonewall queers, especially queers in long-term relationships living in urban areas, the Ennis Del Mar character is dated, a painful throwback to an earlier era.
The Jack Twist of 'BBM-the movie', on the other hand, is something to celebrate. A well-adjusted, personable, rural, out (to himself) gay man who believes in love and long-lasting commitment is something that mainstream America has never seen in a Hollywood film.
My suspicion, therefore, is that some post-Stonewall queers perceive BBM as Ennis-centric, while other perceive BBM as Jack-centric. Those in the latter category probably enjoy the film more, cry only when Jack suffers, and remain relatively unmoved by Ennis' suffering on his job, in his family, and in his relationship with Jack.
--- End quote ---
Well, then they're missing the whole point! To me Brokeback is much more than just a love story between two men. It's the struggle to deal with what you feel and who you are, versus what society expect you to feel and be.
Ennis as you say, could be an "extremely dysfunctional, pathologically incurious, hopelessly repressed, maddeningly inarticulate, straight closeted gay man with the libidinous equivalent of a bad toothache that he can't get rid of" but WHY? Any child who taken by his own father to see the corpse of man who not only was beaten to death but was also tortured for being gay, and later in life discovers he's gay too will become an "extremely dysfunctional, pathologically incurious, hopelessly repressed, maddeningly inarticulate", person.
The movie shows what social control and homophobia can do to people. Ennis is doomed not because he's gay but because he feels forced to pretend not to be.
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