Brokeback Mountain Should Have Won

[Ladyhawke10]

I was shocked that Crash won--and was surprised when it was even nominated.

While I loved the film when I first saw it, I saw it as way too obvious to have serious artistic merit, and it's unabashedly didactic (teaching/ preaching) in a simplistic sort of way. So much so, that I showed it to my college students last semester during a unit on the myths of diversity. Ironically, I'm showing it again this semester and had to buy the dang thing because it was all checked out at the video stores after its big win

I think it's an enjoyable film to watch because it uses a lot of over the top techniques to pull at audiences hearts and tear ducts, and it's useful for simplifying racial issues because it spells them out, but from an artistic or literary standpoint, I just can't buy the brillance in having characters routinely say such bigoted remarks to other characters as if it's commonplace--it's so artificial--even a cliche of artificial. Does anyone NOT remember they are watching a movie when Sandra Bullock yells about homies in front of the locksmith she is complaining about--does anyone in real life do this?? Movies don't have to be realistic to be good--there is plenty of evidence for this--but when the movie pretends to be real while showing the obvious use of smoke and mirrors--that's when you question it's integrity. And yes, I'm from LA and even work sometimes in the movie business doing short-term freelance stuff (like the kind of people who were supposed to be swayed by the fact that Crash was about LA themes)--and while I liked Crash, the best picture nod made me question the integrity of the outcome.

Brokeback was slower and made me a bit uncomfortable (and I'm fully supportive of gays)but just because the sex parts was still a little...yuck. But gosh, it was a gorgeous film with incredible acting and great scene after scene. It was so much more deserving, the results almost seem criminal. Recount, anyone?

PS I reposted this because I thought the other thread looked hijacked...

 

[Ladyhawke10]

BTW, I think the cast of Crash did fairly well, despite the staged lines and interactions, but I have to mention that Thandie Newton was awful (the woman who played the character felt up by Matt Dillon's character). I was cringing when she gave that speech about her husband (the awesome Terence Howard) finding out he was black through the Cosby show...she's a terrible actress! Also, when she cries and shakes when she sees him at the studio--I just kept thinking..."Divorce her and find someone less annoying...please!!" I guess I also thought this actress was terrible in Beloved with Oprah Winfrey--she played the lead and kind of ruined the film. She's cute...why doesn't she just model and stay away from movies?

Other than that (sorry for the rant, but her acting really bothers me)--I thought the ensemble cast was great. I wish they'd cast someone like Halle Berry in Thandie's role. That would have been soooo much better

 

[RachelEllen]

Know what...I agree. Well, about Crash. I didn't see Brokeback.

I thoroughly enjoyed Crash, in a tear jerky, emotional cathartic sort of way. But do you remember that movie Grand Canyon from many years back. That's what it reminded me of. Kind of heavy handed emotional tugging. I was really suprised it won.

The only other contender I saw was Good Night and Good Luck, and I thought that was a better movie. Although they were both worth seeing.

 

[Ladyhawke10]

I'm dying to see Good Night, Good Luck. I saw that it's coming out on video either next week or the week after...I'm a huge Clooney fan--I love his intelligence, so I just cant wait!

I know what you mean about Crash--I really liked it when I saw it, so I don't mean to completely bash it...but best picture? Come on. Especially with other worthier contenders. I just bothered me.

I saw Capote and thought Brokeback Mountain was better also.

 

[nemo1987]

I was surprised when I heard that Crash had won myself. I have not seen Brokeback (my mom has and said it was a good movie), but I saw Crash right after it came out and I didn't really like it that much. Just wasn't one of my favorite movies and it just didn't interest me so I guess I take my own personal opinions into whether or not I think it should have won. I will have to see Brokeback soon so I can compare them.
-Sarah

 

[Ladyhawke10]

I'm showing Crash to my college students today...I wonder what they're going to say about it!

Did anyone see Brokeback Mountain that hated it?

I thought it was such a beautiful film--the ending is stunning and the whole story really stays with you

 

[Bravosntha2g]

Crash was the better movie, it was more enjoyable, and more unique. Definitely different from the typical arthouse best picture. Bravo Acamedy, you did a great job!

 

[Ladyhawke10]

Crash was the better movie, it was more enjoyable, and more unique. Definitely different from the typical arthouse best picture. Bravo Acamedy, you did a great job!

How was it more unique? The little segments/ intersections of people's lives has been done again and again (a really good one I saw recently with this format was "13 conversations about one thing").

 

[Holly]

I agree with you, LadyHawk. I saw both films and enjoyed them both, but Brokeback was by far the better movie.

 

[Ladyhawke10]

Is there anyone else who thought that the racist dialogue was really unlikely in Crash? I mean, I live in LA, and I don't hear anything like that. It seemed to be made up purely for effect in the movie. On the other hand, in Brokeback, the dialogue seemed much more authentic and believeable. I think the artificial exchanges might be my biggest hang-up with Crash, overall.