Brokeback Mountain: A Retrospective

Eleanor Morrison

Released in 2005, Brokeback Mountain gained a range of differing responses from people all around the world and sparked controversy with its “explicit” and LGBTQ+ content explored within the movie. Set in 1963 Wyoming and spanning the course of 20 years, the film follows Ennis Del Mar (played by Heath Ledger) and Jack Twist (played by Jake Gyllenhaal) who are hired to work as shepherds up on Brokeback Mountain and while working, develop both a sexual and emotional relationship with each other.

When leaving, the two fight and part ways, with Ennis returning home to marry his fiancé Alma (played by Michelle Williams) and Jack moving to Texas and marrying Lureen (played by Anne Hathaway). After four years they reunite, and Jack tries to persuade Ennis they should create a life together, but is ultimately rejected, as he refuses to leave his family behind. He reminds Jack of how America’s harsh views on homosexuality will continue to drive a wedge between their dreams.

This extremely emotional and heart-breaking romance was aided not only by its captivatingstory, but the raw, harrowing performances from the cast, making sure to leave you in tears by the end of the film. But why was it so controversial? Upon release, Brokeback Mountain received many reviews both positive and negative, from critical acclaim to outrage amongst groups of people who did not agree with the film’s subject matter. In fact, the film wasbanned from Utah and China for its content and storyline. It was also not accepted at the Cannes or New York film festivals due to what seemed to be a problem regarding censorship. Some audience members even walked out of the film after the sex scene as they believed it to be “an act that should only be carried out between a man and a woman”.

When interviewed about whether or not they wanted to see the movie, some men claimed they feared it would turn them gay. It wasn’t just audience members who had an extreme reaction to the movie either. Once they had heard about the story and content presented in the film, Michelle William’s Catholic high school disowned her as a graduate as she did not “represent the values of the institution” and “promoted a lifestyle” they disagreed with. This discriminatory behaviour towards the movie was unfortunately common amongst groups, with the biassed views being targeted at cast members at interview panels, including Heath Ledger being told Ennis and Jack’s love for each other was “disgusting”.

However, not all reactions to the movie were this extreme and archaic in their nature. Despite these reviews, many many people actually loved the movie for both its representation and tragic, engaging story. Many LGBTQ+ audience members praised the film for straying away from stereotypes (such as the comedic side character) and focusing on the character’s emotions, as it presented them as “real people’’. It has been cited as “the most romantic movie ever made” and ultimately deserves as much praise as possible; the Oscars would go on to play a part in this.