Rodney Expounded Thusly:

I have to say…I really didn’t like “Brokeback Mountain” at all. I hoped I would and it’s such a conundrum since gay themed films by gay men are usually bad (the low budget is, I suspect, often to blame) and Hollywood gay themed films are even worse (“In and Out” and “The Birdcage” for example (shudder). I really wanted to like it, but I couldn’t. I’m not sure if I am just too cynical these days about romance or there really wasn’t any in the film. I suspect there wasn’t any. Nor was there a genuine emotion from any of the characters. Actually, I was rather offended at their “first time” up on the mountain. It was a violent scene, which felt more like a rape than a romantic encounter. If I want to see the “harsh” realities of man to man sex (is any sex really “pretty” to look at?), there is porn. This was, I thought, a love story. Most of the story felt like one stereotype after another. Frankly, I saw neither passion nor affection between these two selfish characters. Of course, it was in a different time well before gay liberation became a popular thing (gay stereotype #29C).

The only scene I felt any emotion for was Ennis finding his shirt hanging hidden in the closet with Jack’s (oh, great…another closet reference – stereotype #46B – yawn). That scene did, however, make me think “oh, Ennis did care about Jack after all – NOW THAT HE’S DEAD.” If Hollywood wants to really be brave, show a real loving gay couple. This rehash of gay stereotypes called “Brokeback Mountain” just felt flat and dull. I suppose it’s a good thing so many (straight) people are flocking to the film. The theater I was in was mostly straight couples (or boys and their hags…sterotype #77Q) and older women (all those gay grandsons ya’ know…)

A friend of mine said he saw the movie also this past weekend and it stayed with him all weekend. It certainly didn’t affect me…I was disappointed. I expected more. Sigh. I want to see a real love story between two men.