You may find this disturbing
My parents will claim that they have always raised me to be strong and independent and a free thinker, able to make my own decisions and to act in a way I can be held accountable for. I have come to find this as a semi-truth. They want me to be strong and independent when faced with opposition from a male counterpart, or a societal norm, or peer pressure. But as far as they're concerned, they are not one of the groups I should feel differently from. They have always "protected" me and "aided" my decision-making process.
Last night I revolted.
Technically, it wasn't a revolt. I just did what they "taught" me to do. Other than going along quietly with their opinion on whatever today's topic might be, I decided to do my own research and make my own stinkin decision.
Bout time.
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There's been a lot of controvery lately in Hollywood, in Houston, and around the home, too. A few months ago some big names released a movie called "Brokeback Mountain". When the first previews came out I was excited. I like cowboy movies. Stories of men being men and riding horses and sleeping under the stars, riding out from their wives and children. Yay for cowboys. I feel pity for the women. They're at home with all these screaming children trying to make ends meet, missing their man, waiting for his triumphant return. Oh, and I fancy those particular actors. I mean, get real, Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal are good-lookin dudes. Their wives, Michelle Williams and Anne Hathoway, have also done some enjoyable movies. Needless to say, I was excited to check it out.
"THEY'RE GAY! IT'S A GAY COWBOY MOVIE! IT'S SICK AND GROSS AND UNNATURAL AND DISTURBING!" Somehow, I had missed the trailer that spilled the beans (so to speak). In fact, I was convinced that those speaking the quote above were all wrong.
Then I talked with a friend. She'd seen the movie.
"No! (laughs at me like I'm completely retarded and missed the point) "Of course they're not gay. It's about two men who share a love for their jobs and each other. But they're not gay. They're definately not gay!"
Well. Now I am definately confused. Is our society so out of touch we can't tell the difference between gay and straight? What would make them gay? I start thinking... Is it because they're alone together all the time? Do they only ride on one horse? Has someone else started these terrible rumors about them?
Now from all directions, this movie seems to be the big topic of discussion. "It's a great movie!" "What a remarkable love story", "well-acted; terrific all the way around", "I dunno. Are they gay?"
In the spirit of science and discovery (and revolting against my parents) I saw the movie.
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Everyone was right. This was a whole new beast of a movie.
I sat wide-eyed -- shocked, even-- in the beginning of the movie. I found myself flinching during certain scenes. I watched. I learned. I tried to take it all in.
THE JURY IS IN:
It's a gay cowboy movie.
The jury is still out with respect to certain aspects. I saw this movie, and then spoke with my origional friend about what did or did not make this a gay cowboy movie. We had a long discussion about "social constraints" and "why it can't be considered a love story", and "does it really even matter".
I ask you to answer these questions yourself. I'm still struggling to answer these and others. I know what I believe, and now I'm trying to unlock the reasons and theories behind these beliefs. If anyone else has actually seen the movie, I'd love to discuss it with you. Thanks for reading all of this, and have a pleasant day.
Last night I revolted.
Technically, it wasn't a revolt. I just did what they "taught" me to do. Other than going along quietly with their opinion on whatever today's topic might be, I decided to do my own research and make my own stinkin decision.
Bout time.
************************************************************
There's been a lot of controvery lately in Hollywood, in Houston, and around the home, too. A few months ago some big names released a movie called "Brokeback Mountain". When the first previews came out I was excited. I like cowboy movies. Stories of men being men and riding horses and sleeping under the stars, riding out from their wives and children. Yay for cowboys. I feel pity for the women. They're at home with all these screaming children trying to make ends meet, missing their man, waiting for his triumphant return. Oh, and I fancy those particular actors. I mean, get real, Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal are good-lookin dudes. Their wives, Michelle Williams and Anne Hathoway, have also done some enjoyable movies. Needless to say, I was excited to check it out.
"THEY'RE GAY! IT'S A GAY COWBOY MOVIE! IT'S SICK AND GROSS AND UNNATURAL AND DISTURBING!" Somehow, I had missed the trailer that spilled the beans (so to speak). In fact, I was convinced that those speaking the quote above were all wrong.
Then I talked with a friend. She'd seen the movie.
"No! (laughs at me like I'm completely retarded and missed the point) "Of course they're not gay. It's about two men who share a love for their jobs and each other. But they're not gay. They're definately not gay!"
Well. Now I am definately confused. Is our society so out of touch we can't tell the difference between gay and straight? What would make them gay? I start thinking... Is it because they're alone together all the time? Do they only ride on one horse? Has someone else started these terrible rumors about them?
Now from all directions, this movie seems to be the big topic of discussion. "It's a great movie!" "What a remarkable love story", "well-acted; terrific all the way around", "I dunno. Are they gay?"
In the spirit of science and discovery (and revolting against my parents) I saw the movie.
*************************************************************************
Everyone was right. This was a whole new beast of a movie.
I sat wide-eyed -- shocked, even-- in the beginning of the movie. I found myself flinching during certain scenes. I watched. I learned. I tried to take it all in.
THE JURY IS IN:
It's a gay cowboy movie.
The jury is still out with respect to certain aspects. I saw this movie, and then spoke with my origional friend about what did or did not make this a gay cowboy movie. We had a long discussion about "social constraints" and "why it can't be considered a love story", and "does it really even matter".
I ask you to answer these questions yourself. I'm still struggling to answer these and others. I know what I believe, and now I'm trying to unlock the reasons and theories behind these beliefs. If anyone else has actually seen the movie, I'd love to discuss it with you. Thanks for reading all of this, and have a pleasant day.