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Boston Globe
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Boston Globe
‘Jack, I swear...': 20 years of ‘Brokeback Mountain'
Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up To me, being shocked by a gay Western was akin to being shocked by a Black version of 'The Wiz.' Because westerns have always been homoerotic as hell. Take Advertisement How about 'Johnny Guitar,' with Joan Crawford and Mercedes McCambridge? Even Doris Day's Calamity Jane sent signals on a gay audience's wavelength. Lest we forget Robin Williams' Advertisement But I digress. Heath Ledger, left, and Jake Gyllenhaal, in a scene from "Brokeback Mountain." Kimberly French/Focus Features Despite its boffo box office numbers ($178 million worldwide), this film really brought out the homophobia in people. Accusation of homophobia were also leveled at the Academy Awards a few months later when, to the shock and awe of critics and Oscar night pundits everywhere, 'Brokeback Mountain' lost the best picture award to 'Crash.' Even Jack Nicholson, who It was widely considered that 'Brokeback Mountain' had best picture in the bag. It had been critically acclaimed. Audiences fell hard for the bittersweet love story between the stoic Ennis Del Mar (Heath Ledger) and the more comfortable in his skin Jack Twist (Jake Gyllenhaal). Set in 1963 and covering 20 years of clandestine meetups, the movie focused on the fears and joys of these two men, and the repercussions being on the down low can have on the women they marry. Michelle Williams showed her talents early with her Oscar-nominated performance as Ennis' wife, Alma, who discovers what her husband and Jack are up to in a scene that elicited gasps from my audience. Actress Michelle Williams in "Brokeback Mountain." HO/AFP/Getty Images Ledger and Gyllenhaal also received deserved Oscar nods, as did Rodrigo Prieto's gorgeous Alberta landscape cinematography. The plaintive score by Gustavo Santaolalla, Ang Lee's direction, and the screenplay by Larry McMurtry and Diana Ossana won Oscars. McMurtry was a perfect choice for this adaptation, as the 'Lonesome Dove' author was an expert at writing lonely and lost men. Advertisement I'm not so sure that voter homophobia was the exact reason 'Brokeback' lost best picture—the same group gave Philip Seymour Hoffman best actor that year for his portrayal of gay author Truman Capote in 'Capote.' I'm inclined to think that the first officially out Western was no match for the white liberal back-patting racial harmony nonsense of 'Crash.' I mean, Paul Haggis's movie featured a racism-curing staircase, for Pete's sake! How could the same Academy that awarded the hideous 'Driving Miss Daisy' before 'Crash,' and the borderline offensive ' No matter the reasons it lost, 'Brokeback Mountain' didn't deserve to be bested by 'Crash.' Had I a ballot, I would have voted for 'Munich' or 'Good Night and Good Luck' for best picture, but I certainly wasn't going to argue with my film critic brethren who thought Lee's movie got robbed. I was actually more irritated by Philip Seymour Hoffman's win over Heath Ledger. Hoffman did a fine imitation of Capote, and the Academy loves imitations, but Ledger found the darkest corner in Ennis Del Mar's soul and took up residence in it. Heath Ledger in "Brokeback Mountain." Kimberly French/Focus Features The power of Ledger's performance had precedent; you can see the genesis in his small but pivotal role in 'Monster's Ball,' a movie just as ridiculous about race as 'Crash.' In just a few minutes of screen time, Ledger burns a hole in the screen as the confused son of Billy Bob Thornton's racist corrections officer. Prior to this, Ledger was best known for lighter fare like 'A Knight's Tale' and '10 Things I Hate About You.' Advertisement The role of Ennis Del Mar and how Ledger played him recalled Marlon Brando's daring turn in 1967's 'Reflections in a Golden Eye.' I still can't believe that this cinematic slice of intense gay longing sprinkled with Southern-fried camp was directed by macho man John Huston. Brando played Army Sgt. Pendleton, a married man who falls in lust with Robert Forster. Forster entices him while riding butt naked on a horse, which he does for about 75 percent of his screen time. Brando plays Pendleton like a tightened coil of confusion, unable to put into words the desires that are driving him mad. Much like Ennis, who can only refer to his love of Jack as 'this thing we got goin' on here,' Pendleton is a man of few words driven by a similar fear of being discovered. And like Ledger's performance, this is one of Brando's best. Jake Gyllenhaal, left, and Heath Ledger in a scene from "Brokeback Mountain." Kimberly French/Focus Features When the 'Crash' Oscars debacle happened, I'd just started my career as a professional film critic. I'd also been officially out as bisexual for about 2 years. So, I felt incredibly guilty for not loving 'Brokeback Mountain' like many of my gay friends and fellow critics did. As a member of the LGBTQ community, I felt I should have lifted up the movie more than I did. But I'm an honest critic, so I gave the movie only three out of four stars. It's a bit too polished and austere, and a tad fearful of scaring off straight people. Despite its technical proficiency, the chemistry between the two leads, and Ledger's amazing acting, the movie ultimately harkened back to the old studio system days, where if you were gay, you had to either die horribly or suffer for your 'depraved' sins. That irritated the hell out of me. The last scene destroys everyone I know, yet I couldn't surrender to it. Advertisement I thought about that the other day when I revisited the movie. 'Brokeback Mountain' still holds up, and people are far less surprised by its content nowadays. It seems quaint by comparison with gay-themed films like Odie Henderson is the Boston Globe's film critic.
Metro
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
How Clint Eastwood foreshadowed controversial Brokeback Mountain Oscars loss
Brokeback Mountain's co-writer has revealed the moment she released the much-lauded gay cowboy drama wouldn't win the best picture Oscar in 2006. Despite the accolades and praise it had garnered up to that point – including four Baftas and four Golden Globes – and going into the evening with eight nominations, the movie was destined to lose the night's top prize. The 78th Academy Awards also became infamous as the film chosen instead was Crash, now often cited as one of the worst candidates to win best picture In a new interview to mark the upcoming 20th anniversary of Brokeback Mountain's release, producer and co-writer Diana Ossana agreed that she felt her film should have won instead but insisted she 'hold[s] no grudge'. Ossana also revealed she knew before the Oscars that Brokeback Mountain wouldn't triumph in that category after attending a nominees' party after Academy Awards voting had already closed – and learning a personally disappointing piece of news. The event was held at the home of Paul Haggis, co-incidentally the director of Crash, and also attended by Clint Eastwood, who the previous year had enjoyed success at the Academy Awards with Million Dollar Baby. As a fan of Unforgiven in particular, Ossana was particularly excited to meet Eastwood. 'Paul started walking me over and he goes, 'Diana, I have to tell you, he hasn't seen your movie.' And it was like somebody kicked me in the stomach,' she recalled while speaking to the New York Times. 'That's when I knew we would not win best picture.' More Trending Brokeback Mountain did still go on to scoop best director, best adapted screenplay and best original score at the Oscars. But Ossana, who co-wrote the picture with Larry McMurty, believes that homophobia contributed to the western's defeat in the main category. 'People want to deny that, but what else could it have been? We'd won everything up until then,' she added. Metro has contacted a representative for Clint Eastwood for comment. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Fans are all saying the same thing after Tom Cruise finally gets his Oscar
New York Post
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- New York Post
‘Brokeback Mountain' writer reveals exact moment she knew the film would lose Best Picture Oscar
A Hollywood travesty. 'Brokeback Mountain' co-writer Diana Ossana remembers the moment she knew the gay romantic drama would lose the Oscar for Best Picture. In a new interview with the New York Times for the film's 20th anniversary, Ossana, 75, recalled that weeks before the 2006 Oscars, after voting had closed, she went to a party for the nominees at 'Crash' director Paul Haggis' house where Clint Eastwood was one of the attendees. Advertisement 9 Jake Gyllenhaal, Heath Ledger in 'Brokeback Mountain.' ©Focus Films/Courtesy Everett Collection Ossana 'was eager to meet' Eastwood, 95, but before they could interact, she got bad news. 'Paul started walking me over and he goes, 'Diana, I have to tell you, he hasn't seen your movie,'' Osanna told the outlet. Advertisement 9 Diana Ossana attends the 25th Annual Scripter Awards in Feb. 2013. WireImage 9 Clint Eastwood at the 20th Annual AFI Awards in January 2020. WireImage 'And it was like somebody kicked me in the stomach,' the screenwriter added. 'That's when I knew we would not win Best Picture.' 'Brokeback Mountain' infamously lost Best Picture to 'Crash,' despite dominating the award season up to that point and winning the Oscars for Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Original Score. Advertisement Ossana, who co-write the film with Larry McMurtry, told the NYT that she blames homophobia for the defeat. 9 Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal in 'Brokeback Mountain.' AP Photo 'People want to deny that, but what else could it have been?' she said. 'We'd won everything up until then.' At the time, some Academy voters including Ernest Borgnine and Tony Curtis publicly declared that they wouldn't watch the Western romance. Advertisement 'I absolutely think that block of voters kept this movie from winning Best Picture,' Osanna stated. 9 'Brokeback Mountain' screenwriters Diana Ossana and Larry McMurtry accept the award for Best Screenplay at the 63rd Annual Golden Globes. NBCUniversal via Getty Images 'Brokeback Mountain' followed two men, Ennis (Heath Ledger) and Jack (Jake Gyllenhaal), who found love despite one being married. 'Crash,' meanwhile, told the true story of a 1991 Los Angeles carjacking and starred Sandra Bullock, Jennifer Esposito, Thandiwe Newton and Matt Dillon. 9 Heath Ledger, Jake Gyllenhaal in 'Brokeback Mountain.' ©Focus Films/Courtesy Everett Collection Michelle Williams, who played Ledger's wife in 'Brokeback Mountain,' addressed the film losing Best Picture on 'Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen' in April. 'I mean, what was Crash?' Williams, 44, joked. 9 'Crash' won Best Picture at the 2006 Academy Awards. ©Lions Gate/Courtesy Everett Co Advertisement Williams was also asked if she was aware the project would make such an impact before it hit theaters. 'People were so open about it,' Williams reflected. 'I just remember doing the junket. You know, you don't really get an opportunity to see a lot of grown men cry. That was the moment that I think that we all knew it was going to be special to people.' 9 Michelle Williams and Heath Ledger in 'Brokeback Mountain.' Focus Films/Everett Collection Lee, 70, similarly reflected on the snub to Deadline last month. Advertisement 'Your guess is as good as mine,' the director said. 'There are times when I feel like there's an unlimited willingness to watch the movie. There's so much love for it. Generally, you feel like it's a breakthrough, that it broke all barriers. People seem to melt down. And you cannot even define it as gay cinema. It's not gay cinema, right? It's a love story.' 9 Jake Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger in 'Brokeback Mountain.' ©Focus Films/Courtesy Everett Collection But Lee did clarify that he's moved on from the film not winning Best Picture. 'I'm nothing but grateful. I have no bitterness,' he shared.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
‘Brokeback Mountain' co-writer admits: 'Knew we would not win' Best Picture Oscar after meeting Clint Eastwood
A writer for the 2005 gay neo-Western romance Brokeback Mountain recently recalled the film's Oscar snub as it makes its 20th anniversary comeback to theaters. After voting concluded, a few weeks prior to the awards ceremony, co-writer Diana Ossana recently recalled that Crash director Paul Haggis introduced her to Clint Eastwood at an Academy Award nominees' party. Ossana told The New York Times, "Paul started walking me over, and he goes, 'Diana, I have to tell you, he hasn't seen your movie.'" And I felt as though I had been kicked in the stomach. I realized then that we wouldn't win Best Picture. Brokeback Mountain famously lost the Oscar to Crash, even though it took home a record number of Best Picture honors during the awards season, including the Golden Globe, BAFTA, Critics' Choice Award, and Independent Spirit Award. Ossana continues to believe that the loss was caused in part by Hollywood's homophobia. 'People want to deny that, but what else could it have been? We'd won everything up until then," she remarked. Ossana told The Times, "I absolutely think that block of voters kept this movie from winning Best Picture," following the public remarks of famous Academy voters like Ernest Borgnine and Tony Curtis that they would not see the Ang Lee-directed film. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Memperdagangkan CFD Emas dengan salah satu spread terendah? IC Markets Mendaftar Undo Lee had previously considered the rejection of Deadline. Last month, he declared, "Your guess is as good as mine." 'There are times when I feel like there's an unlimited willingness to watch the movie. There's so much love for it. Generally, you feel like it's a breakthrough, that it broke all barriers. People seem to melt down. And you cannot even define it as gay cinema. It's not gay cinema, right? It's a love story.' 'I'm nothing but grateful. I have no bitterness. It never occurred to me," Lee, the film's Best Director winner, continued. In addition, Ossana and Larry McMurtry's Brokeback Mountain won Best Adapted Screenplay. Heath Ledger, Jake Gyllenhaal, Michelle Williams, Rodrigo Prieto, and Gustavo Santaolalla were nominated for Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress, and Best Original Score, respectively.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘Brokeback Mountain' Co-Writer Knew the Film Would Lose Best Picture After Learning Clint Eastwood Hadn't Seen the Movie
'Brokeback Mountain' losing Best Picture to 'Crash' at the 78th Academy Awards in 2006 is often cited as one of the most egregious Oscar snubs of all time. Two decades later, 'Brokeback Mountain' co-writer and producer Diana Ossana still remembers the sting of losing and the moment she realized the prize would evade her. Speaking to the New York Times for the film's 20th anniversary, Ossana, who co-wrote the script with Larry McMurtry, said she saw entrenched homophobia towards Ang Lee's film from some of Hollywood's elite. She recalled attending a party at 'Crash' director Paul Haggis' house and being excited to meet Clint Eastwood, who had enjoyed his own Oscars sweep the previous year for 'Million Dollar Baby,' only to be told that the Western icon hadn't watched her cowboy movie. More from IndieWire Everyone Wants Their Own Jane Austen Adaptation, and They're Getting Them 'The Social Network Part II' in the Works with Aaron Sorkin Writing and Directing 'Paul started walking me over and he goes, 'Diana, I have to tell you, he hasn't seen your movie.' And it was like somebody kicked me in the stomach,' Ossana said. 'That's when I knew we would not win Best Picture. People want to deny [that homophobia was a factor in the Oscar race], but what else could it have been? We'd won everything up until then.' Ossana went on to explain that the film's rollout gave her a unique perch from which to view America's evolving perspective on gay rights in 2005. While watching the movie in theaters, she was able to observe the occasional discomfort people felt towards gay sex scenes, even as the film's storytelling largely overpowered those biases and captivated audiences. 'The theaters were all packed because everybody was so curious about this movie,' she said. 'And when the sex scene between the boys came on, you'd see some people got up and left, but not very many. At the end of the film nobody would leave. They would just sit there nailed to their seats until the lights came on, and there would be people crying.' Anyone who missed the chance to see 'Brokeback Mountain' on the big screen in 2005 now has an opportunity to witness it for themselves, as the film is currently playing in theaters courtesy of a 20th anniversary re-release from Focus of IndieWire Guillermo del Toro's Favorite Movies: 56 Films the Director Wants You to See 'Song of the South': 14 Things to Know About Disney's Most Controversial Movie Nicolas Winding Refn's Favorite Films: 37 Movies the Director Wants You to See
