I Must Be Nuts

[pt_tangles]

Or utterly unromantic. I went to see Brokeback Mountain last weekend, and despite being totally surprised at the gay cowboys part of it, I really didn't care for it much at all. I just can't feel sorry for a man whose problems are all of his own making. He spends his whole freakin' life making sure that everyone around him is as miserable as he is. And the other guy (Jack, I think his name was) is just so bloody whiny that I wanted to reach into the screen and slap him. Grow some freakin' balls, man!

Sure, it's sad that he can't be with his boyfriend and that he dies so young, but there were options. He chose to be miserable. And gay or not, it isn't ok, in my books, to spend years cheating on your wife. I am sure that it will win all kinds of awards at the oscars. And I know that a lot of people so far seem to think it is a masterpeice, and on a strictly technical level, I agree. However, I just cannot connect to a movie when both of the main characters are really so utterly unlikable. But, like I said, it is probably me.



--Phae

Comments

[sonicwylde.livejournal.com]

It was not romantic in my view, it was sad and very telling of society as it stood and somewhat still stands.

Of course it hits home because I have spoken to men like Ennis... Trapped by society and what was expected and not being able to be themselves. And I understand why Ennis did what he did and why the other one was like he was... and the scene where she tells ennis about hte guys death... where they flash to the guy getting beaten... that is my fear.

[pt_tangles]

Fair enough, but there comes a point where you can't blame society anymore. I still think that Ennis' problems were nearly all of his own making. I understand his fears and I understand his frustration, but if he had made even slightly different choices he could have still had a happy life (simple things could have redeemed his character, like letting his daughter move in and take care of him). He chose to be unhappy. And I can't feel sorry for someone who chooses suffering.

I know a guy who will never in his life admit that he is gay because of his family and how he was raised (and it isn't like he is fooling anyone), and I don't feel sorry for him either. We all make choices in our lives, and spending your whole life blaming your parents or society while making no effort on your own is an excuse. It belies personal responsibility.

--Phae

[openhands.livejournal.com]

When I heard that the story involved one of the men cheating on his wife to be with his lover, I decided not to see it. I have a hard time finding sympathy for cheaters, even though I understand that there are difficult situations out there.

I'm sure it was a very well done movie and I know some people who enjoyed it, but the storyline didn't appeal to me.

[pt_tangles]

That was one of my biggest problems with it. If it wouldn't be ok for a man to spend years cheating on his wife with another woman, it shouldn't be portrayed as somehow ok because he is cheating with a man.

--Phae