Advocate Poll on Brokeback Mountain

Q: Would you recommend Brokeback Mountain as a film for your mother to see?

My answer (as posted):

"Yes. And not only did I recommend it to my mother, but my Dad, too. They drove from their small town in Northern Maine to Grand Falls, New Brunswick to see it.

Mom's review via e-mail: "I can't say it was the best movie I ever saw but I am glad I got to see it. It is great to see the story being told. Quite moving really when you think of it that way. love mom"

I guess it was worth the 40 minutes each way and the pesky border crossing. "

Truth be told, before Christmas, I vaguely wanted to see the movie. I love movies, period. Gay movies, usually that much more. This one was raising a lot of dander. I thought that because it was such a "mainstream" movie, and getting so my hype, it would be tepid, so so. If it was making so many people recoil and feel uncomfortable, though, than yeah, I had to see it. I am happy to report it surpassed my subterranean expectations. I thought it was a sweet, tender, sad "forbidden love" story. Not the greatest movie I've ever seen, but definitely one of the best of the year.

I was glad that Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal got Oscar nominations, but Phillip Seymour Hoffman, in my mind, should walk away with it justly in hand. Don't get me wrong, I really like Heath's work, but sometimes I can't understand what the hell he's grunting and mumbling. That was probably part and parcel for the character, but I believe I seen him play that one before... in interviews FOR the movie for instance! How about a little more annunciation, please! Just for those of us with hearing problems, anyway?

Another thing that lowered my expectations for the movie prior to seeing it were the choruses of how "brave" the actors were to take these parts. Brave my ass! I *hate* hearing that! My feeling is that this particular melody is studio hype, infused with all of the controversy about the film, which again, I'm betting the studio encouraged and contributed to, to stimulate the movie's box-office returns.

But Christmas day, there was my Dad, joining the chorus. He was talking about how impressed he was by the actors and Hollywood. My Dad brought up the subject. My Dad was looking forward to seeing the movie. I'm sure that because nothing blew up and there were no battle scenes, it wasn't his favorite movie either, but I love that both of my parents were so open to seeing it. That's the thing about my parents. They're open to love.

Now... the real question is, would they be as open to seeing TransAmerica? :)