Groundbreaking film receives mixed support in Jackson
By Veronica Webber
Staff Writer
"Brokeback Mountain" has already become one of the year's most talked-about films.
"Me and a bunch of my friends drove 45 minutes to Ann Arbor (to see the movie)," said Elizabeth Barker, 20, a Jackson Community College student. "It was exciting."
The movie, based on a short story by E. Annie Proulx, focuses on two young men, played by Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal, hired to watch sheep on a Wyoming mountainside, who fall in love. It won a Golden Globe for best drama and best director (Ang Lee) and has been nominated for eight Oscars. But its storyline has drawn criticism from some.
"It's a waste of money," said Rogan Lampe, 18, a JCC student, who said he has not seen the movie. "I don't mind people calling themselves gay, but a homosexual lifestyle goes against what the Bible says (is acceptable)."
The movie also follows the two men as they marry and continue their affair over two decades.
"I wouldn't go to a movie that encourages cheating on your spouse and breaking up your family," said Daniel Kestner, 18, also a JCC student.
When asked what she thought about the controversy surrounding "Brokeback Mountain," Barker said, "Society as a whole needs to be a little more accepting of different cultures."
The movie also encompasses many other issues such as finding self, coping with major decisions and living a lie.
Despite the controversy, the film has ranked in the top 10 since its release to most U.S. movie theaters. A few have chosen not to show it; Jackson's Carmike Cinemas has been showing it for several weeks.
Katie Meyers, 18, is another JCC student who won't see the movie, but not because of the controversy.
"I wouldn't go see it because it's about cowboys," she said. "It has nothing to do with sexuality."
John Conner, 19, had never heard of the movie, but said, "I can't judge a movie based on one thing (referring to the controversy) - it's like judging a book by its cover."
Nicole Hillis, 18, also drove to Ann Arbor to see the movie with her sister. But she wasn't as impressed.
"As much of a big deal as (the media) are making about it, (the movie) wasn't a big deal," she said.
The film is a groundbreaker, but will the earth shake enough to draw these two sides of the dilemma together.