Brokeback Mountain

[LorSpi]

Yeah. I did.

One: read the short story by Anne Proulx.. I think it is a well written short story - and it is a good measure as to whether the film is worth screening. Having screened the film, I think reading the story is required before seeing the film. You could tell the ones who had read the story - the sobbing.

Two: Not a best film by any measure. Ang Lee crapped up Sense and Sensibility - and he dicks around with this one as well. I found 5 -6 very bad edits on the first screening - no excuse for that amateurish type of production. Gratuitous scenes added that add nothing to the straight forward storyline. I will probably buy a copy of it. But I own a copy of Sense and Sensibility.

Three - like Boys Toys of Troy - butt exposure is the major selling point. Not bad at all. But there are far better close ups of Michelle Williams's breasts than any offerings of either Heath Ledger or Jake Gyllenhaal.
What is this sudden shyness thing, eh?

Four: Read the short story and this is a serious chick film. Audible sobbing, tears streaming, and damn I should have brought the kleenex. But only those who had apparently read the book. Fellow chick and far less cynical than myself, my friend kept saying - what the hell is going on here - as the woman behind us, me , another in front started with the weepies. My friend had not read the book. Case closed.

Five: The homosexual affair is almost besides the point IMHO. It is more about male friendships. Both protagonists are from extremely poor and love-deprived childhoods (effectively covered in the short story - only alluded to in film) who meet one summer when both are 20. The sex and affection those two know is easily matched with both's later relationships. Ennis (Ledger) has what appears to be an equally sexually and affectionate relation with his wife and eventually a strong bond with his daughters. But it is this friend that dominates his life. And determines his fate.

I would love to get some sort of feedback from one of you - short story would be more than enough.

But serious chick film - after reading the short story.

[FightingFalcon]

I have nothing to do this weekend so I might download the movie and watch it.

I would at least like to see it to understand what the big deal is about the movie.

[MrDoublel]

Ajj I gotta say FF is, you better be watching it with a female by your side!

[101ABN]

FF, Where do you download current movies?

[LorSpi]

fightingfalcon said:

I have nothing to do this weekend so I might download the movie and watch it.

I would at least like to see it to understand what the big deal is about the movie.

Really - this is key to watching the film. It is worthless otherwise.

Might I offer girlfriend advice? Again - get her to read the short story first. Not necessary for you if your motives lie elsewhere. Remain monosyllabic and stoic throughout the film. An occasional grunt will convey your intense emotion and deep inner sensitivity. There are several scenes of guys Frenching. Just don't say anything. Limit it to inarticulate grunts that can be misconstrued. When she breaks down - and if you did your prepping she will - arm around her in a protective fashion but remain inarticulate. A grunt from you at this point in time will show her just how sensitive and really affected you are.

Heath Ledger has out Gary Coopered the man himself - clearing a wide path for the silent types.

I am just curious about men's reactions to this story. I find the friendship described between the two deeply affecting - more so because it really is the only affection either knew that lasted. And a quick discussion with the woman who recommended the movie and lent me a copy of the short story (ex-military herself ) dealt with the depth of this friendship - neither of us knew of any women who had this kind but yes we knew men who had. My father and a buddy from the navy for one. Both were dirt poor growing up - one from Tennessee the other from Maine. They lost touch for about 8 years after they got out. Then one day, he showed up at out house with his wife and three kids in tow. just to say hello. They stayed in touch - meeting once a year, twice - until my father died. I spoke to him the other day. He stayed in touch with mu mom and all the kids - writing occasionally, visiting at least annually. He was there more for us and my mom then he was for his own family I think sometimes.

Women are different. Not as visceral. More verbal, gift giving, physical affection, etc...

Anyway. Now I'm curious

[LorSpi]

leftbehinds.blogspot.com/2005/12/text-of-story-brokeback-mountain.html

Real sorry about the pink. I can post it in two, maybe three parts here, but I'd want 101's permission first. It's just over 56k.

Other - it's the pink link.

[FightingFalcon]

admin said:

FF, Where do you download current movies?

There are tons of downloading services out there. The downfall of Napster may have been a "victory" for the recording industry but all it did was replace it with thousands of programs just like it.

I use Limewire.

www.limewire.com

I used it to download Jarhead - I'm glad I didn't pay to see that movie. It was awful...

[101ABN]

"Real sorry about the pink. I can post it in two, maybe three parts here, but I'd want 101's permission first. It's just over 56k."

I'd prefer not to have it posted for reasons of possible copyright infringement.

I won't stress on the link.

Regards

[MrDoublel]

So Jarhead was crap? On of the new arrivals here said so too. Guess I'll just have to skip it then. I'm pretty much fed up with Hollywoods version of things that have no resemblance to reality.

[Far Rider]

I'll pass on "Brokeback". One of the girls Mrs. Far Rider works with went to see it - she said she was bored silly.

[LorSpi]

admin said:

"Real sorry about the pink. I can post it in two, maybe three parts here, but I'd want 101's permission first. It's just over 56k."

I'd prefer not to have it posted for reasons of possible copyright infringement.

I won't stress on the link.

Regards

No worries. Later I thought about the fact that the site might take multiple hits from folks trying to find the story. Not a good idea at all.

[LorSpi]

farrider said:

I'll pass on "Brokeback". One of the girls Mrs. Far Rider works with went to see it - she said she was bored silly.

It's pretty hot topic among the women I know - but again no good by itself. This is NOT a good film because it cannot stand alone. Ang Lee is not a good filmmaker - his stuff is way too dependent on their source material.

He can shoot a beautiful landscape and has a good sense of textures. He relies too much on an actor's own sense of character, failing to direct them. This results in two characters on screen playing different scenarios. Disconcerting to say the least.

Minor film.