The young straight audiences was quieter, while the gay audience laughed during the first tent scene (sacrilege) and Alma at the reunion kiss. Not unlike some other reactions posted here.
I'm starting to think that out in the suburbs at a muliplex on a midweek afternoon is the way to go. Mostly seniors, a few couples, and nuts like me. Quiet as a church, for the most part.
I second that. BTW, brand new member here today .. I'm sure moderators and other members will provide guidance if I run afoul of established protocol.
As I said in my introduction post, I've seen the film every day since my birthday (12/22), so I'm approaching 20 screenings. It wasn't until the third or fourth that I finally caught all the dialogue, so much of it being whispered or mumbled. Beyond that, it's laden with imagery, foreshadowing, and flashbacks, all of which require attention and concentration. This is best done in a quiet, uncrowded theater with people who know how to behave themselves.
My home base is the Ritz in Philadelphia, which has had showings from 11:30a to 10:00p. I've seen at least one at each time, and some interesting trends have come to light:
a) For the most part, the straight audiences have demonstrated a surprising level of self-control during the scenes most likely to jolt them. This is encouraging: no outbursts, no sneering, no exaggerated groaning, certainly no dramatic walkouts. None of this was the case in 1982, when half the theater walked out during _Making Love_. The worst reaction I've noted is inappropriate giggling.
b) Beyond their surprising restraint, I believe the majority of the straight audiences "get it." I say this because of two consistent observations beyond their unexpected composure: a large number of the men, particularly the younger men, walk out silently, their chins attached to their chests. This is what guys do when they don't want people to see they're emotional. Also, the older folks -- my cohort, 45+ -- often cluster outside the theater, babbling on about how wonderful it was.
c) Philadelphians react, audibly, to all the same scenes others have mentioned: Alma at the door witnessing The Kiss; turning away from Ennis, in tears, as he runs off with Jack; Aguirre spying the barechested grappling; Jack reading the Riot Act to his asshole of a father in law.
d) The Returned Postcard: by this point, the theater is usually stone silent. When the postcard is revealed, there are often audible gasps and stifled sobs.
e) Jack's (imagined?) murder: by this point, many women seem to be struggling to control their tears. Single women seem to do better in this regard than women in groups. In mixed-sex couples, a surprising number of the men are slumped down in their seats, appearing to recoil.
I must've talked with at least a hundred people (anyone who'll submit themselves to this torture, actually), and there was but one person who didn't like it. Surprisingly enough, it was a younger (32) gay man, a longtime friend, who thought it was "too long" and lacked continuity.