Brokeback Mountain

Where to begin. Um. This was a tough film to sit through. That lifestyle makes me sick. That’s right: I hate cowboys. Riding around on horses acting all tough. You ain’t tough! OK, back to the movie. There are already factions lining up to freak out about issues and things. It’s like when The Passion came out and some Christians thought it was the 2nd coming and some Jews got all Meshugge. That’s Yiddish, people! Try to keep up. What’s the problem? Well, it depends who you ask. Folk who like to keep their gay comfort level at or below, say, Will and Grace will have a hard time with this film. On the other hand, some might see this film and think to themselves, “OK, I see the cowboy, but where’s the Indian chief and the rest of the Village People? Hello!? I thought you said this movie was gay, sister! Driver! My VW Beetle!” The truth is that Ang Lee made a moving, beautifully shot film with powerful performances. Heath Ledger will likely win an Oscar. But, the truth ALSO is that people aren’t comfortable with everything. Especially private everythings. Nor should they be. To be honest, I was pretty uncomfortable with some of the stuff. That doesn’t make me hateful or intolerant or ignorant OR secretly gay, Frank. I didn’t return from my trip to Brokeback Mountain with the 10 commandments OR a boyfriend. A bit about the story… In Wyoming, 1963, a couple guys get a job tending sheep on Brokeback Mountain. They become pals. And after a night of drinking around the campfire, there is some, ahem, “tent-imacy”. Universal theme alert: I’m pretty sure most of us were conceived after a long night of drinking. After years apart, trying to live “normal” lives they meet up again for monthly fishing trips to Brokeback. They are not strong fishermen. They decide to employ a “What happens on Brokeback, stays on Brokeback” policy but like most secret lives, they are revealed on an episode of Jerry Springer. OK, no Springer, but there is PLENTY of collateral damage. Wives, kids, jobs. I’ll say this: If you and Marty McFly build a gay time machine, DO NOT set it for Wyoming, 1963. Word to the wise, doc. I want to say thanks to my pal, Roger, for the screening. Some may be surprised to know that Roger and I are pals seeing as how I’m an evangelical and he’s of a different lifestyle. No, thankfully, not a cowboy. I can’t say I hated this film, but I do hate cowboys. Did I say that already? I just want to make sure I communicate how much I hate cowboys.