It's nice to see some science being put to work on why the heck we're all so profoundly impacted by one movie. No, it's not just a few of us acting all emotional - there is something more to it.Lamenting what could have been -- a unifying theme. Indiana University Bloomington Sociology Professor Brian Powell has been surprised by a conversation he keeps finding himself in concerning the movie "Brokeback Mountain." It involves heterosexual men who say they saw the movie only because their wives or girlfriends insisted. "They go to the movie. The last 45 minutes are very emotional. Some of them cry," said Powell, whose research interests include the sociology of gender, family and education. "One of my colleagues said, 'I just started bawling,' and this isn't someone who cries." Powell said the movie involves gay issues but more broadly illustrates compromises and sacrifices people make, which could explain its effect on his heterosexual acquaintances. This reaction, Powell said, relates to some findings in a national survey he conducted on family issues. The survey included questions related to homosexual relationships. In the survey, women were more likely to report having a gay or lesbian relative or friend. Such a relationship usually is linked to more liberal beliefs regarding gay issues. Powell said such relationships have a bigger impact on men, who are more likely to change their attitudes about gay issues when exposed to them, according to the survey. Powell is the Allen D. and Polly S. Grimshaw Professor of Sociology.
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/518061/
