There’s no denying “Brokeback Mountain” is arriving in theaters with considerable baggage in tow. The so-called “gay cowboy movie” from director Ang Lee (“Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon”) comes along at a time when this country is sharply divided on (and, some might argue, shrewdly distracted by) the issue of homosexual marriage.
Stars Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal are rightly being hailed for their courageous and stellar performances, but both men have had to endure all manner of ridiculous queries regarding their onscreen coupling. The actors, who are straight, play lovers in the movie — can this really be such the big deal in 2005? Apparently, and what a shame, because all the hetero-hunk hullabaloo seems to be obscuring what really matters here: That “Brokeback Mountain” is one of the best movies of the year.
In light of the atypical subject matter, “Brokeback”
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on December 9, 2005. Read the original PDF.