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Author Topic: Reactions to Brokeback by friends, family & audiences  (Read 612485 times)

Offline vertimus

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Re: Audience, Friends and Family Reactions to the Movie
« Reply #315 on: January 27, 2006, 07:49:49 PM »
Hmmmm, I was emotionally stunned too but still felt like applauding. I should have led the applauyse, or at least aplauded because I felt it warranted. Here it is, a month later, and I'm still stunned. Absolutely.

helen

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Re: Audience, Friends and Family Reactions to the Movie
« Reply #316 on: January 27, 2006, 11:56:21 PM »
On my first viewing, the theatre seemed to be full of very accepting people but there were many who were so clearly nervous and just plain new to homosexuality. During the love scenes there was a bit of laughter. I was kind of shocked by this. I didn't expect this kind of reaction but then I took a minute to process it and realized that people often laugh out of nervousness. Fine.

At the end of the movie, a few people clapped, some cheered, but overall, people just walked away silently. I did see many people with teary eyes but I think they were mostly the gay audience.


Offline harry

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Re: Audience, Friends and Family Reactions to the Movie
« Reply #317 on: January 28, 2006, 01:08:15 AM »
heath and michelle were supposed to appear for a q and a after a screening of brokeback tonight.
they had to cancel due to an illness of their kid.
this was another "industry" screening mostly for sag people but other quilds too. (i'm another guild).
again ..the same weird thing .. the non-industry venues (i've seen it 3 times in that setting) were very
different from the two "industry" ones.  tonight people seemed so anxious to be "brokeback supporters",
they'd laugh at every little thing and again it really offended me when some laughed at alma when she
saw the guys kissing. at times it was like people were watching a comedy !!!  people very very vocal in their
responses all around. the "stud duck" turkey carving scene got an applause :)  during the 4 punch ending
i looked behind and saw the audience in tears. the movie got a long applause and the main actors also when
their credits rolled up.   people were obviously dissappointed that the actors couldn't show up, but there will
be a "follow up" session for the people in the theater with heath and michelle.
dunno what kinda witches potion this movie is made of, but it got me again .... i'm like ennis in many ways ..
or maybe i'm like the pavlov's dog ..i get all verklempt when i hear those chords of soundtrack ....


i have some other interesting ( at least i think so ) info on the making of the movie..but don't know where to write it ... ??

Offline killersmom

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Re: Audience, Friends and Family Reactions to the Movie
« Reply #318 on: January 28, 2006, 03:43:46 AM »
i have some other interesting ( at least i think so ) info on the making of the movie..but don't know where to write it ... ??

Harry Welcome and thanks for coming aboard  and posting with us.  :)
As to where to post your interesting information try going here to this link

http://davecullen.com/forum/index.php?topic=299.0

or to the meet and greet board where you may start a new thread

http://davecullen.com/forum/index.php?topic=39.0

You have a lot of good things to say and already have, so keep it up.
See you around and welcome to the big top, there's act playing in all three rings ;)

killersmom
"Life can only be understood backwards. Unfortunately, it must be lived forward."
... Kierkegaard

Offline Sue in Baltimore

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Re: Audience, Friends and Family Reactions to the Movie
« Reply #319 on: January 28, 2006, 04:20:04 AM »
Gnash, thanks for your thoughts about my situation with my angry-white-straight-narrow-male friend's reaction to the idea of the movie (since of course he refuses to see it).  I do appreciate them.
No movie has ever enraptured me and captured my heart like BBM.  I'll love Jack and Ennis forever. 

Meanwhile, a plug for my other love:  Bruce Springsteen's new album is WONDERFUL.  Check it out and catch him on tour this spring.

Offline gnash

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Re: Audience, Friends and Family Reactions to the Movie
« Reply #320 on: January 28, 2006, 08:00:51 AM »
Well, I have to say...I work with pretty intelligent open minded literary individuals.  I passed the short story on to three of my coworkers who hadn't seen the movie yet, all mid 20's, two straight woman and one straight male.  One of the woman called me crying the minute she finished reading the short story.  Then the next day when I saw my other two coworkers they couldn't stop talking about it.  Just from us talking about it at work, 3 of my other coworkers, all straight woman...were inspired to go and see the movie.  I can't wait until after they all have seen it so we can talk about it.  They are going to absolutely love it and now I can bring my obsession into work without feeling like a crazy lunatic. 

that's so great!! word of mouth is really strong with BBM -- people seem to want/need to talk about it. i wonder how many closet lunatics are already among you at work. i bet some will be lured out of their silence to join in conversation. have fun!

"Brokeback is about a lost paradise, an Eden."  – Ang Lee


Offline gnash

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Re: Audience, Friends and Family Reactions to the Movie
« Reply #321 on: January 28, 2006, 08:16:18 AM »
Gnash, thanks for your thoughts about my situation with my angry-white-straight-narrow-male friend's reaction to the idea of the movie (since of course he refuses to see it).  I do appreciate them.

you're welcome, and good luck with the children. ya know, it's folks like him that will furtively watch the dvd. curiousity will get the better of them. it's kinda like the critics of pornography who "study" the stuff just so they can say how filthy it is... his blatant denouncement and accusations via email seem fishy to me, but maybe he's just mean-spirited.  :-\

"Brokeback is about a lost paradise, an Eden."  – Ang Lee


dudnkink

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Re: Audience, Friends and Family Reactions to the Movie
« Reply #322 on: January 28, 2006, 11:16:10 AM »
I must vent this  >:( And let me know your thoughts, as I really have no support when it comes to this movie.......I was so optimistic about my little sister seeing the movie, (the only one in my family who even comes close to accepting me as a lesbian).  She and my very homophobic, bigoted, christian mother watched Oprah yesterday with the cast of BBM.  So, sister Lisa went to see the movie with her boyfriend, whom some have inquired whether he himself is gay.  I was dying to know what she thought of the movie.  Well, she said it was slow, she was getting bored, and she couldn't sympathize with Ennis and what he did to his family.  I told her, that's the tragic part; NOBODY wins.  She was very shocked by the first tent scene and how "bold" that was to put that in the film.  So, now I'm quite sad about this.  I am very protective of this film and feels it represents the terrible conflict I've had in my life as well.  I know Oprah has convinced alot of ppl to go see this groundbreaking film, but I also think that it just won't change even the most unsympathetic minds.  I also truly believe to appreciate this film, you need to have a certain amount of intelligence to see all the layers, and nuances.  But you also have to be willing to open your mind to take it all in. 

Offline Kevin

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Re: Audience, Friends and Family Reactions to the Movie
« Reply #323 on: January 28, 2006, 11:54:25 AM »
I must vent this  >:( And let me know your thoughts, as I really have no support when it comes to this movie.......I was so optimistic about my little sister seeing the movie, (the only one in my family who even comes close to accepting me as a lesbian).  She and my very homophobic, bigoted, christian mother watched Oprah yesterday with the cast of BBM.  So, sister Lisa went to see the movie with her boyfriend, whom some have inquired whether he himself is gay.  I was dying to know what she thought of the movie.  Well, she said it was slow, she was getting bored, and she couldn't sympathize with Ennis and what he did to his family.  I told her, that's the tragic part; NOBODY wins.  She was very shocked by the first tent scene and how "bold" that was to put that in the film.  So, now I'm quite sad about this.  I am very protective of this film and feels it represents the terrible conflict I've had in my life as well.  I know Oprah has convinced alot of ppl to go see this groundbreaking film, but I also think that it just won't change even the most unsympathetic minds.  I also truly believe to appreciate this film, you need to have a certain amount of intelligence to see all the layers, and nuances.  But you also have to be willing to open your mind to take it all in. 

Sorry to hear that Dudnkink.  Your sister needs to understand that Jack and Ennis didn't do that to their families, society did.  It's like, fine, you don't like what happens when gay people are forced to marry in heterosexual relationships?  Let them be with who they want to be and then everyone's happy and no one gets hurt.

I'm from a unique family with a mom like yours.  But I also have a dad like Ennis if you know what I mean.  He met a man 25 years ago, moved away, and they've been happy ever since.  I worked on my mom for years and she finally came around a few years ago.  She no longer goes to church and is now a frothy-at-the-mouth liberal who has seen BBM with her friend.  This is the same person who tried to get me into psychotherapy when I came out (yeah right).  No one can ignore the truth forever...not my mom and not your mom.

A suggestion is that you tell her that she is risking her relationship with one of her own children.  Tell her that you aren't asking her to change her beliefs but only asking for an honest and open conversation.  If she's one of those "the bible says it's wrong" people, ask her to justify the following bible verses.  And I'm not kidding...

http://www-users.cs.york.ac.uk/~susan/joke/laura.htm

Offline Tony

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Re: Audience, Friends and Family Reactions to the Movie
« Reply #324 on: January 28, 2006, 01:31:09 PM »
all the stories from Mom's and wives in here are just enlightening for me.  I really had no idea there was soo much love and support  for the movie from you guys.  Thanks!!
thanks for the Madonna's "Sorry" single update.
I can't wait for the mixes!

Offline Tony

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Re: Audience, Friends and Family Reactions to the Movie
« Reply #325 on: January 28, 2006, 01:34:40 PM »
I went again tonight (I won't even say how many times this makes - lets just say I'm approaching double digits) with a casual acquaintance from work.  I was unsure about going with her since I don't know her very well  She LOVED it.  Spent 20 minutes outside talking about it afterward.  I think I've found a new friend.  How can I not like her? She loved BBM.  :)
Good for you!  It's great to have close friends that share some views.

Offline trinket

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Re: Audience, Friends and Family Reactions to the Movie
« Reply #326 on: January 28, 2006, 01:49:25 PM »
FIRST I would like to apologize that I don't know how to properly do the quote thing in the yellow box, sorry, if anyone wants to take pity on this "virgin" and email me some instructions I would appreciate it.
Unless you don't mind I do it like I have it below.

From dudnkink <<you have to be willing to open your mind to take it all in>>

Certainly it can't be about having an "open mind!"  I have been accused of not having one of those!  Seriously.
I saw BBM a week ago and could not say I LOVED it or that it was "good."  But I was so haunted by it and have thought of almost nothing else all week.
Ok, the occasional laundry, meals, homework stuff for the kids..but you know..nothing important.
Can you "hear" he sarcasm??  hey, I can't help it they feel they need to have 3 meals a day!
It's nothing but a BAD HABIT we get them into when they're born.
Anyway, I am getting freaked out by people who are freaked out that i even went to SEE BBM
These friends are probably much like how you are describing your mom dudnkink.
Some people might describe me that way
I thought I went in with an open mind, I tried.  Now I wonder.
I think I may have been a bit tense through the showing and I wonder how much DIDN'T let it affect me!
 I couldn't understand MUCH of the dialog and that was very disappointing!
I have learned more from this board and Dave's site than anything else.
I have learned that i MUST go and see it AGAIN (and again...and again..???) and GET some of what I missed.
I don't just mean the dialog, I mean the layers and layers of meaning, the symbolic things.
Much i will NOW understand because of this site.

Bless ya!  Trinket
JAKE on his roll as 'Dastan' in 'The Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time' ~ "The appeal of playing this part for me was feeling that eight-year-old side of myself. . . . . .This was really an opportunity to go to that side of myself which I felt was a little tired of taking myself so seriously."

Offline trinket

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Re: Audience, Friends and Family Reactions to the Movie
« Reply #327 on: January 28, 2006, 01:52:08 PM »
OH MY GOSH OH MY GOSH OH MY GOSH....I NOW HAVE MY FEET WET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I AM THRILLED AND HONORED AND JUST SO GRATEFUL.
I want to thank Dave and Jack and Carol......and everyone who made this possible!!!
ok, enough already...I'll save it for when Jake takes me to the awards!
JAKE on his roll as 'Dastan' in 'The Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time' ~ "The appeal of playing this part for me was feeling that eight-year-old side of myself. . . . . .This was really an opportunity to go to that side of myself which I felt was a little tired of taking myself so seriously."

Offline BillN

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Re: Audience, Friends and Family Reactions to the Movie
« Reply #328 on: January 28, 2006, 02:37:05 PM »
OH MY GOSH OH MY GOSH OH MY GOSH....I NOW HAVE MY FEET WET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I AM THRILLED AND HONORED AND JUST SO GRATEFUL.
I want to thank Dave and Jack and Carol......and everyone who made this possible!!!
ok, enough already...I'll save it for when Jake takes me to the awards!

Trinket, there is a very long line of folks waiting to go to the awards with Jake(and Heath)...if it hasn't been said already, welcome to the home of the brokeaholics, you are now in good company.

Offline Dahamu

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Re: Audience, Friends and Family Reactions to the Movie
« Reply #329 on: January 28, 2006, 02:44:24 PM »
Hey first time posting on these boards. The names david and im 19y/o's!

I guess I will post my expierences I've seen it 3 times in threaters twice in cali, once with my mom and sister and once in utah(salt lake)/

The first time I went with my friend in southern cali, I forget the city name because he is still kind of in the closet and he didn't want to see it in pasadena, the city were from because he was afraid someone he knows would see him, sad I know. So we drive to this city, kind of upper-class which is about 30 mintues away. I admit I was kinda of nervous buying the ticket I don't know why, it was mix of excitement also I guess. Well we get to the ticket booth  and there some other teenagers trying to decide what they want to see. 3 boys and 2 girls. One of the girls say they should see brokeback but one of the guys said "that's a gay movie." Eh. So we buy the tickets and when I walk in im surpriserd how full the threather is. Next thing you know I notice all the heterosexuals couples ranging from middle age to older. There is also alot of eldery people to. We go toward the back and seat down, a hetero couple sits next to us and for some reason this made me umcomfortable see I heard about the sex scenes I felt it would be awakrd sitting next to them so I head to the back. There was silent during the sex scenes, I see a few straight couples pull each other closer, people just gapsed when alma caught them kissing. Silence during the movie. Walking out holding in my tears I see alot of people were crying and look shocked. It was amazing.

The second time I saw it I was visiting my mom with my sister and we decided to see a movie, my sister recommened brokeback since I was talking about it non-stop. My sister is 32 and is completely cool with me. My mom...she's another story. She knows im gay, which im sure she always knew. She cried for a week when she found out my twin sister was gay. We never talked about it, and the first time I even admitted it infront of her was when I was 19 and im 19 now. So I didn't know what her reaction would be but she agreed to see it even saying she heard it got great reviews. I wondered if she knew what the content was, she said to I think, but I wasn't sure.
So we head to a small threather in pasadena and a line is wrapped around the threather. I honestly didn't think it was for brokeback mountain because the whole line consisted of the eldery and even more straight couples. So yea, it was for brokeback, we go in after eating there were no more seats! we had to sit in the second from the front row. It sucked. So yea the auidence had the same reactions as before, I couldnt bring myself to look at my mom reactions. After the movie my mom walked blankly avoiding eye cotanct with me in my sister. I swear she was crying but im not sure. All she said after was she glad she saw it. Hmmm. It was a expierence I won't forget.

The third time was in salt lake city. Im currently here for school in a program called job corps. Well me, my gay friend, and his brother and his girlfriend and 2 other straight guys came along. We tried to convince the guys to see brokeback but they wanted to see underworld lol. So me my gay friend and the girlfriend saw brokeback. I didn't no want to suspect since I knew it was banned here in utah! It was actually the threather we planned on going to.
Again to my suprise the threather was packed, straight couples and way more eldery people this time. My gay friend fell in love with the movie, and the girlfriend really liked it. Most of the audidence watched the credits teary eyed. It really affected the auidence I could tell.

Now I plan on seeing it again with a few friends in salt lake. I'll let you guys know how it goes.