The new movie “Brokeback Mountain” has re-opened the debate as to whether American audiences will accept gay protagonists in a mainstream film.
Sure, there have been gay lead characters in past films, but many consider this the first mainstream American film to deal with gay love straightforwardly, not in the context of an issue film about AIDS or as a campy subplot, but as an old-fashioned, three-hanky love story with explicit sex.
Jake Gyllenhaal, who plays one of two lovestruck cowboys in “Brokeback,” doesn’t see the gay romance getting in the way of audiences appreciating the film.
“I understand that people have a response that’s either pro-pro or con-con, and I get that, but no,” he said. “I have a feeling we’re going to be surprised at who responds to this movie.”
“Brokeback” opens in Chicago and 20 other cities Friday after earning $547,425 in just five theaters last weekend, setting a record per-screen average of $109,485. It added $103,256 on Monday.
Gyllenhaal says he and Heath Ledger knew how they wanted to play their roles.
“You do see these two men kissing, they are being intimate together, but there’s a real aggression and a real masculinity from both of them,” Gyllenhaal said. “It’s not like what you would consider some sort of ‘gay’ kiss. It’s very complicated and more interesting.”