BetterMost, Wyoming & Brokeback Mountain Forum

The World Beyond BetterMost => The Culture Tent => Topic started by: louisev on January 01, 2008, 12:22:54 am

Title: Rewriting Homosexual Biographies in Film
Post by: louisev on January 01, 2008, 12:22:54 am
 
I was astonished today in a conversation with a friend to find out that John Nash, the mathematician and subject of the award winning biographical adaptation 'A Beautiful Mind' with Russell Crowe, had had a number of homosexual affairs and was arrested for indecency in Santa Monica while working for the Rand Corporation when he solicited a man in a public bathroom.  I didn't see that in the film! However, this information was in the biography from which the film was derived, which got me digging into a little more background.

 I ran across the following fascinating article by William J. Davis in "Close Up Film" entitled "The Rights to Re-write" which discusses the 'degayification' of homosexual biographies in Hollywood, an extension of the themes in the oft-cited 'Celluloid Closet.'

http://www.close-upfilm.com/features/Featuresarchive/rightstorewrite.htm

Hollywood has a long way to go.
Title: Re: Rewriting Homosexual Biographies in Film
Post by: delalluvia on January 01, 2008, 04:23:38 am
That is extremely interesting, Louise.

I saw the movie, and the producers did say they took liberties with his life story.  In real life, Nash and his wife did not stay together, they divorced, were apart for many years, then got back together.  I wonder if all these affairs took place in the interim - and if so, that's probably their excuse for leaving something so defining out because they skipped that part of his life.

Title: Re: Rewriting Homosexual Biographies in Film
Post by: louisev on January 01, 2008, 01:37:06 pm
a more extensive discussion of the biography in 'Ferment' as well as other sources, makes it known that Nash, in selling his story to filmmakers, specifically denied them permission to include any elements of 'bisexuality' in portraying him.  However, the screenplay, and the film as shot, also downplayed several other less-than-savory parts about his biography, including the fact that he had an illegitimate son whom he refused to acknowledge and support, by a woman he refused to marry, before he married Alicia.  His first son was shuttled between a dozen foster homes and Nash never offered a dollar in support even though he was fully employed and 'earning a King's ransom for the Rand Corporation' during that time.  He never did support his first son until forced to by the courts.
Title: Re: Rewriting Homosexual Biographies in Film
Post by: delalluvia on January 01, 2008, 02:10:38 pm
a more extensive discussion of the biography in 'Ferment' as well as other sources, makes it known that Nash, in selling his story to filmmakers, specifically denied them permission to include any elements of 'bisexuality' in portraying him.  However, the screenplay, and the film as shot, also downplayed several other less-than-savory parts about his biography, including the fact that he had an illegitimate son whom he refused to acknowledge and support, by a woman he refused to marry, before he married Alicia.  His first son was shuttled between a dozen foster homes and Nash never offered a dollar in support even though he was fully employed and 'earning a King's ransom for the Rand Corporation' during that time.  He never did support his first son until forced to by the courts.

What a nice guy  :P

Well, that just turned me off of him completely.  Just goes to show you can be a genius and still be a shit as a human being.
Title: Re: Rewriting Homosexual Biographies in Film
Post by: Artiste on January 05, 2008, 02:57:43 pm
Thanks!

I just discovered this thread. And like it and I will find it more and more interesting!!

Even if it was true that Nash did not pay $ firstly for his first son's welfare, still he is human... (straights and others act like that too unfortunately) and everything needs to be said and found out, I feel yet!

Coming back to this thread headline: Rewriting Homosexual Biographies in Film, I find that very interesting and may it continue!

Regarding this title, you have mentioned (by a critic...): Yet sadly, because the film has not been judged a success, and because it did not set the box office alight, there is a high probability that these failures will be attributed to its frankness regarding Alexander's sexuality, and thus used as reasons for Hollywood not to green light future big budget epics that involve such a depiction. Thus could it be that those who extolled Alexander for its daring representation were premature in their praises...
....
To that, may I say that this Alexander film would probably or possibly been better to make $ if it had shown Alexander the Great as an gay or bi man!! Then, it would have made maybe more than 200 millions bucks the Brokeback Mountain movie did?? Likely so, I feel since I always read that Alexander was gay!! So, why now such greek lawyers against that - is it because Greece is now becoming muslim and thus anti-gay??

....
Concerning Certainly one might expect some agreement on this point from writer Paula Martinac, who suggested it was a good thing that A Beautiful Mind did not portray John Nash as a homosexual; because his eventual marriage would be seen as making a comment on the (non-)viability of homosexuality.

.........
To this may I reply, is that so too with the Brokeback Mountain film: (non-)vialibity of homosexuality?
Since some think that even the two main charators (Ennis ansd Jack) are straights??
.....

Hugs!!
May Hollywood write and do homosexual portraits of real gay men lives!!
Title: Re: Rewriting Homosexual Biographies in Film
Post by: BelAir on January 05, 2008, 07:34:58 pm
What a nice guy  :P

Well, that just turned me off of him completely.  Just goes to show you can be a genius and still be a shit as a human being.

yes indeed.

not commenting about John Nash specifically, but I remember not even caring much for him in the movie...
Title: Re: Rewriting Homosexual Biographies in Film
Post by: serious crayons on January 05, 2008, 09:26:38 pm
I loved the film the first time I saw it. But the second time, when watching it with my son (who was far less impressed) I realized Nash's life really wasn't material well-suited for a biopic.

Russell Crowe, as usual, is excellent. And the way they did the thing with Ed Harris and his roommate was very clever, providing the main suspense and tension and surprise. But otherwise, Nash's life did not provide a very effective narrative arc. And his relationship with Jennifer Connelly was pretty unexciting.

What's with mentally ill mathemeticians, though? "Proof" is a fictional treatment of something similar. Is it an occupational hazard?
Title: Re: Rewriting Homosexual Biographies in Film
Post by: Jeff Wrangler on January 07, 2008, 11:58:57 am
What's with mentally ill mathemeticians, though? "Proof" is a fictional treatment of something similar. Is it an occupational hazard?


For the other side of the coin, check out Numbers on Friday nights.  ;)
Title: Re: Rewriting Homosexual Biographies in Film
Post by: Artiste on January 07, 2008, 12:21:26 pm
Jeff, what is Numbers? A TV show?

Hugs!
Title: Re: Rewriting Homosexual Biographies in Film
Post by: Shakesthecoffecan on January 07, 2008, 05:44:08 pm
So, why now such greek lawyers against that - is it because Greece is now becoming muslim and thus anti-gay??


Artiste, you make me want to become Muslim sometimes. Why does everything have to be a conspiracy with you? I saw Alexander, liked it, thought it did a good job portraying his sexuality but it wasn't the greatest movie I saw that year, it just didn't do as well as hoped.

But seriously I wish you would get past your distain for muslims, or at least keep it to yourself. It is very unbecoming and when you say things like that I for one don't take you seriously.
Title: Re: Rewriting Homosexual Biographies in Film
Post by: Artiste on January 07, 2008, 07:59:51 pm
Thanks Shakestheground!

With your first sentence, I laughed immediately and gladly!! I do not know why! It made me happy. But your other sentences make me uneasy or sad!!

Do I think that life is an conspiracy? You asked!! I lost my jobs, to such foreigners who do not like christians, jews or others peoples!! I lost nearly my life more that one time, and once would have been enough (too much even) since four beat me up and left me for dead because I am a gay man!! Police did nothing to protect me, not even asked details of those murderers, nor take finger prints. My house was robbed so many times, cops did not care there neither, nor accept proofs!! I had to give away my house and property to the criminal whom I fought over 20 years, as that so-called neighbour who opened up crack-houses all around me. And that is nothing to other stories which are real too!! You starting to understand??

I have worked for many greeks who were born in Greece. Some have returned recently or lately to visit their country and refuse to live there now since they tell me that muslims are taking it over! You know that? That is their words!!

So why greek lawyers tried and succeeded to have Alexander the Great not so much a gay man?? Did muslims have anything to do with it?? I would not be surprised since they do not accept gays at all, but line them up for murder in some or all muslim countries, you know that?? Why surrounder to such criminals, when they are; that does not mean that some are not good islamics and are of other religions or other thoughts, for freedom and peace, hopefully they will all get and do, in some of those countries - some are good persons!!

You re-reading my 2nd paragraph?

Hopefully you now have enough information to start with. Be happy to help you,

hugs!!
Let freedom ring throughout the World!!
Title: Re: Rewriting Homosexual Biographies in Film
Post by: Shakesthecoffecan on January 07, 2008, 08:43:39 pm
Friend I will respond in a pm as I don;t want to hijack the thread Louise started and go off on some other topic.
Title: Re: Rewriting Homosexual Biographies in Film
Post by: Artiste on January 07, 2008, 11:27:08 pm
Shaketheground: Then re-read Louise thread here she started!

You will see that I am staying on the subject!

I do not like anti-gay remarks nor any other such comments or actions!!

Hugs!!