Welcome to Queerty’s latest entry in our Queerantined: Daily Dose series. Every day as long as the COVID-19 pandemic has us under quarantine, we’ll release a suggested bit of gloriously queer entertainment designed to keep you from getting stir crazy in the house. Each weekend, we will also suggest a bingable title to keep you extra busy.
The Seminal: Brokeback Mountain.
Straight actors get a lot of flack these days–somewhat deservedly–for playing gay characters as a sort of “awards bait.” That was not true back in 2005 when teen heartthrobs Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal opted to star in Brokeback Mountain for director Ang Lee. The story revolved around two ranch hands that have a love affair over a 20 year period. For two major stars to star in a gay-themed project at a time when George W. Bush had called for a constitutional amendment to prevent marriage equality, and when homophobic humor like that of Dane Cook and Todd Phillips packed audiences into cinemas, was a bold risk indeed.
The resulting film is a classic of queer cinema, even if it was directed by and stars two straight men. The reason: Brokeback Mountain doesn’t dwell on the sex between its two lead characters, though it doesn’t shy from it either. The movie focuses instead on the nature of enduring love, and the shame of homophobia that prevents two men from living and loving openly together. It’s no coincidence that Brokeback appeared at the time the fight for marriage equality had just begun, or that the film would help take LGBTQ stories to the mainstream. 15 years later, it remains a seminal film, featuring a director and a pair of actors at the height of their craft.
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Jim
” fight for marriage equality had just begun”
How young is this writer? Or is he just clueless?
Cam
I think it’s interesting that Jake Gyllenhall, around 40 years old, hasn’t had a really public girlfriend in decades ,not married, etc… is considered a “Straight” actor.
Josh447
Agreed
WashDrySpin
Hmmm, let’s see…I know of many over 40 year old gay men who have never had any “visible” boyfriends and/or not married….oh my I should consider these gay men “straight”…
You are a stable genius
Donston
Everyone is presumed “straight” until they say otherwise. While if you do say that you’re something other than “straight” people are going to expect you to have legit non hetero relationships. If you don’t indulge any many will say that you’re “straight” or that you just “came out” for attention. This is one of my many issues with identity politics, sexual politics and the over dependence of identity. It makes it more difficult for people to be casually honest and live their lives freely.
There was that one c-lister actor who people claimed was Jake’s best friend. Jake went everywhere with him for about a couple of years. But then they were never seen with each other after that. I just assume that at least half of the people in Hollywood is “queer-ish” in some ways. If they wish to publicly share their dimensions, struggles, journeys, relationships- that’s their business. I just don’t like the idea of people being closeted due to image, career pressures and/or gay shame. I find it especially problematic if you’re trying to keep legit same-sex long-term relationships closeted.
Cam
@WashDrySpin
What a shock, the right wing, anti-LGBT troll account comes out with an enraged defense of the closet.
Josh447
This is a very very sad movie. Just the guitar twang can set me off. Not sure watching it is right for the times.
NealB
I tend to remember the love and have found, over fifteen years, that anytime you want to watch it is the right time.
Boston495
Most of this movie was great. But when they finally got to the scene where they made love for the first time, it looked more like rape than love.
NealB
Looked pretty consensual to me.
Donston
I think it was supposed to represent how these two “masculine” guys who perceived themselves as “straight” couldn’t express their passions and affections without it being rough or being attached to hetero-normalcy to it. As the movie went on their connection become more loving, gentle and emotional.
I do have some issues with the flick. I thought Gyllenhaal was miscast. And I didn’t think their relationship was as well-developed as it should have been. It’s still a pretty good movie. Oscar bait-y as hell though.
Tim44309
Agreed. I felt like that most intimate scene was almost brutal…
dhmonarch89
it WAS awards bait- Ang Lee was attached to direct right after Crouching Tiger- they knew what they were getting into- but beautiful none the less!
radiooutmike
After he made Hulk.
Josh447
The sex in the movie was intense and well shot. It’s not called hetero normalcy nor should it be. Such would be an insult. It’s called raw brute passion. They did it well.
Not every sex act is some inane baseless conspiracy theory. It was very sex-natural and worked well within the context of the script.
Donston
My theory is based on interviews of the author of the original story.
I did find their initial sex scene more disturbing than erotic. Based off of what we’re shown beforehand, Ennis gives no real indication that he’s interested in Jack. While Jack is incredibly abrupt and aggressive, even after Ennis initially pushes him away. It didn’t feel like unbridled passion. It felt angry, borderline rape-y and somewhat coerced. It didn’t even seem like either took any enjoyment out of it.
I’m not sure how we’re supposed to feel about Brokeback Mountain as a “love story”. I got the indication that both leads were legitimately into guys, had same-sex contentment and that they cared for each other. That’s made especially clear by the movie’s ending. But their dynamic was so underdeveloped and they had such a difficult time expressing anything to each other without masculinity and hetero dynamics getting in the way. I also just didn’t think Heath and Jake had much onscreen chemistry. A lot of people feel the way I feel. So, it’s not like I’m pulling something out of my ass. I don’t mind those ambiguous elements though. It was very much a movie of its time. But it’s a movie I appreciate more than love.
You can be insulted if you like. It wouldn’t be the first time someone’s reasoned, contradictory perspective got you in a tizzy. Or, before giving your opinion, would you like to consult your non-existent “straight friend” who says he’s straight because he has an issue with trans people and fem guys? Or would you like to use another handle for your bitchy “you crazy” rebuttal?