Brokeback Mountain
Jan. 3rd, 2006 10:07 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
mysidYou MUST go, and you MUST bring tissues.
This movie was already on my must-see list, and when all the glowing reviews hit the papers, it just made me even more determined to go. When it first came out in "select theaters," I was heartbroken that none of those theaters was near me. (Then I discovered that "select theaters" meant only five movie theaters in the US. No wonder it wasn't near me.)
Then Joy of joys! It arrived in a local cinema. I tried to talk my hubby into going with me, and he did consider it, but soppy love stories aren't his thing (whatever the genders of the lovers). Yesterday, mid-afternoon, I said that the kids were his to watch and that I was going. The movie was sold out! Disappointing, of course, but it actually made me happy. I had been worried that the taboo subject matter would keep people away and that low ticket sales would hurt the chances of other gay-themed movies from being made. I simply bought a ticket for a later showing and went back after dinner.
I arrived early (fearing that another packed house would keep me from getting a good seat) so I was able to do a bit of people watching as others arrived. A few women were there solo (like me) or with friends. Several male/female couples came. One couple came with their teenage daughter. A gentleman in his sixties (and wearing a beret) sat in the row in front of me. I only spotted one male/male couple, but I couldn't see the half of the theater behind me.
I'd read the short story, so I already knew the story. I have to say it was a WONDERFUL adaptation of the story. The movie got all the nuances and details right, and I loved the way that some details only sketched out or hinted at in the short story were more fully fleshed out in the film. And the actors and actresses were amazing! If they don't win major awards for this film, something is seriously wrong.
I held it together through most of the movie; I didn't start crying until Ennis got the last postcard. Then I just kept crying and crying. I could hear sniffling and sobbing throughout the theater, and I've NEVER heard that before. When the screen faded to black and the credits started to roll, no one moved. We all just sat there stunned. Slowly, some people gathered themselves together and began to leave. A man behind me joked, "I don't think John Wayne would have made that movie." When I finished wiping my eyes and stood to leave, the man in front of me was still crying, and the male couple to my left were just sitting together quietly.
I think I felt the real impact later. I couldn't sleep all night. I lay there thinking about Jack and Ennis, and the hours rolled on until it was dawn.
This movie was already on my must-see list, and when all the glowing reviews hit the papers, it just made me even more determined to go. When it first came out in "select theaters," I was heartbroken that none of those theaters was near me. (Then I discovered that "select theaters" meant only five movie theaters in the US. No wonder it wasn't near me.)
Then Joy of joys! It arrived in a local cinema. I tried to talk my hubby into going with me, and he did consider it, but soppy love stories aren't his thing (whatever the genders of the lovers). Yesterday, mid-afternoon, I said that the kids were his to watch and that I was going. The movie was sold out! Disappointing, of course, but it actually made me happy. I had been worried that the taboo subject matter would keep people away and that low ticket sales would hurt the chances of other gay-themed movies from being made. I simply bought a ticket for a later showing and went back after dinner.
I arrived early (fearing that another packed house would keep me from getting a good seat) so I was able to do a bit of people watching as others arrived. A few women were there solo (like me) or with friends. Several male/female couples came. One couple came with their teenage daughter. A gentleman in his sixties (and wearing a beret) sat in the row in front of me. I only spotted one male/male couple, but I couldn't see the half of the theater behind me.
I'd read the short story, so I already knew the story. I have to say it was a WONDERFUL adaptation of the story. The movie got all the nuances and details right, and I loved the way that some details only sketched out or hinted at in the short story were more fully fleshed out in the film. And the actors and actresses were amazing! If they don't win major awards for this film, something is seriously wrong.
I held it together through most of the movie; I didn't start crying until Ennis got the last postcard. Then I just kept crying and crying. I could hear sniffling and sobbing throughout the theater, and I've NEVER heard that before. When the screen faded to black and the credits started to roll, no one moved. We all just sat there stunned. Slowly, some people gathered themselves together and began to leave. A man behind me joked, "I don't think John Wayne would have made that movie." When I finished wiping my eyes and stood to leave, the man in front of me was still crying, and the male couple to my left were just sitting together quietly.
I think I felt the real impact later. I couldn't sleep all night. I lay there thinking about Jack and Ennis, and the hours rolled on until it was dawn.