Movies

How Brokeback Mountain Holds Up—And Doesn’t—20 Years Later

BBG News

Didn’t “Brokeback Mountain” leave a lasting impact, though? Ang Lee’s 2005 drama, which depicted the love story of two cowboys, was quite revolutionary in the world of cinema. This movie catapulted Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal into the A-list, and one of its lines, “I wish I knew how to quit you,” gained a timeless popularity that rivals phrases from films like “Jerry Maguire” and “Titanic.” Although Lee won the Best Director award at the 2006 Oscars, the film’s loss of the Best Picture trophy to “Crash” sparked controversy. In a re-polling of Oscar voters by the Hollywood Reporter in 2015, it was revealed that they would have chosen “Brokeback Mountain” over another movie if given a chance, and in 2018, it was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry. With a domestic gross of $83 million, “Brokeback Mountain” served as a trailblazer for modern LGBTQ+ cinema, demonstrating that films about same-sex love could be financially successful and that acting gay was no longer a career-ending move.

To celebrate its 20th anniversary, “Brokeback Mountain” is returning to cinemas, allowing viewers another chance to be captivated by the love story between Ennis del Mar and Jack Twist. This re-release also provides us with a fresh perspective on the movie, as we can examine it through modern lenses and consider how contemporary sensitivities might influence our interpretation. Was “Brokeback Mountain” groundbreaking, or was it a gay love story confined within the boundaries of a traditional heterosexual narrative? Were its main characters genuine or merely forced into roles that the creators believed a predominantly straight audience would accept? The truth is more nuanced than a simple yes or no, and “Brokeback Mountain” continues to serve as an important topic for discussion regarding the portrayal of same-sex love in film and its ongoing relevance.

For those who might assume that the film’s message has become outdated or lacking in relevance, there are numerous instances to prove them wrong. While it is true that the film was re-released a decade after the Supreme Court’s ruling on Obergefell v. Hodges, which promoted social acceptance of gay people for a while, the current administration’s hostile stance towards LGBTQ individuals, coupled with Justice Clarence Thomas’ hint at potentially overturning Obergefell in his 2022 Dobbs v. Jackson opinion, underscores that the struggles portrayed in Brokeback continue to resonate poignantly today.

Since the initial release of Brokeback Mountain, there has been a significant shift in popular cultural discussions. The 2010s, in particular, marked an increase in scrutiny regarding representation, especially when it comes to portrayals of marginalized groups, particularly within social media analysis. Particularly notable is that none of the main Brokeback Mountain actors or key creatives have publicly identified as gay men. This suggests that the film’s depiction of a gay romance was created by presumably straight individuals.

Much like the plaintiffs in Perry v. Schwarzenegger, who challenged California’s Proposition 8 and paved the way for same-sex marriage, the characters in Brokeback Mountain were carefully chosen to seem ordinary. The two cowboys, who enjoy manual labor, drink whiskey, and engage in horseplay, lack many of the gender-nonconforming traits that might make them less appealing to mainstream audiences. When Ennis (Ledger) tells Jack (Gyllenhaal), “You know I ain’t queer,” it is clear he means it sincerely. In a way, he appears to be speaking directly to the straight members of the audience as well.

In Brokeback Mountain, the remote sheep-herding location where Jack and Ennis initially work offers a peaceful, seemingly ideal retreat akin to Fire Island. However, their lives are largely detached from the broader gay culture. At one point, Jack proposes that Ennis relocate closer to him in Texas. Despite the ’70s being a time of vibrant gay liberation movements thousands of miles away, moving to a prominent queer city like San Francisco is never an option. Instead, the story focuses on the intimate details of their love rather than the broader societal context.

In an unexpected manner, I found myself captivated by a feelings that seemed to emerge spontaneously towards Jack – it was far from evident earlier that Ennis would harbor such sentiments. The way Jack noticed Ennis and mustered the courage is still a puzzle, one that the filmmakers exploring an unfamiliar world didn’t delve into, almost as if these characters are enigmatic entities. (There’s a scene where Ennis bathes naked just a few feet away from Jack, yet Jack appears oblivious to this.) Their sexual encounters initially conform to stereotypes, with Jack portrayed as the more emotional and talkative member of our duo, thus taking on the role of the passive partner – at least superficially. It’s bold that Brokeback dares to touch upon such nuanced stereotypes, given the limited depictions of same-sex relationships in mainstream media during its time. Shows like The Birdcage, In and Out, Will & Grace tiptoed around sexuality or presented their characters as almost desexualized.

In Brokeback Mountain, the quick, intimate scene between the two characters was a topic of conversation upon its release, with some attributing this to the use of spit as lubricant. However, it’s important to note that this is the only instance of sexual activity depicted in the film. Twenty years ago, the passionate reunion kiss after four years apart might have been all the romantic intensity mainstream audiences could handle. Interestingly, the scene showing Jack’s initial lovemaking with Lureen (an outstanding performance by Anne Hathaway, who was deserving of a Supporting Actress nomination) is more explicit than the scenes between Jack and Ennis; at least Lureen is shown topless while both men remain fully clothed.

In a way, Brokeback Mountain’s revolution is more about compromise than outright defiance, but that doesn’t mean it didn’t push boundaries. The characters Ennis and Jack, despite marrying women and raising families, continue to meet secretly for what they call “fishing” and “hunting” trips. This, in essence, is infidelity, a life built on deception. Yet, the film seems to want us to sympathize with them. Jack even seeks casual encounters in Mexico, and later it’s revealed he had another man working on his family’s ranch. This disregard for monogamy goes against the traditional values Brokeback Mountain appears to uphold. However, the deep emotional bond between Ennis and Jack is what truly matters here. The movie invites us to interpret their love story in a complex manner. Their breaches of enforced monogamy should not be seen as negative—they’re merely struggling within the constraints they face, and we understand this struggle.

In essence, despite some flaws in its portrayal, Brokeback Mountain soars with genuine emotion. Although it may not completely convince us of Ennis and Jack’s initial connection, Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal’s acting skillfully brings their love to life. This film stands as a timeless romantic tale that deftly handles the challenges its characters encounter due to their shared homosexuality.

In the year 2025, if Brokeback Mountain were deemed inconsequential, it would be a positive development, indicating our society’s progression away from harmful and wasteful anti-gay prejudice from the past. Regrettably, even in this country, some regions still echo Ennis’ tragic sentiment about his love for Jack: “Ultimately, we’re together, and this connection grips us once more, at the wrong moment, in the wrong place, and we perish.” Recently, Tristan Kern de Gonzales, the spouse of actor Jonathan Joss, disclosed that he and his husband experienced harassment and threats from individuals who rejected their relationship. Sadly, Joss was later killed by someone who apparently couldn’t tolerate two men expressing love for each other. Authorities are examining whether sexual orientation had a role in the crime, but it’s challenging not to consider the potential prejudice that preceded Joss’ death.

In simpler terms, what haunts Ennis after hearing about Jack’s death is the violent image of it, like an explosion. The creators might have made this story seem smooth and appealing, but they also tapped into a deep yearning that many people feel, no matter their sexuality, for loved ones who are absent. This universal appeal comes from the film’s sharp focus on the complexities of being in love as two men during a particular era. Just like Jack’s influence on Ennis, leaving him heartbroken and disoriented, this movie has left its audience similarly affected. Twenty years later, it still has the power to make viewers utter under their breath, “Brokeback Mountain… I swear…

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2025-06-24 19:06

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