The Movie Oracle: Brokeback Mountain (2005)

The gods are coming back?

Dionysos, god of wine: Yes, we are! Long ago the gods grew weary of man's problems and "outsourced" our duties to upstart religions. But retirement got boring and now we're turning once again to the mortal realm, and finding it a very different world. Where to begin getting in touch with this new culture? With movies, of course!

Athena, goddess of wisdom: And other things. I look out for social issues, Dio for aesthetics. Apollo goes for the intellectual, Ares for action, Hera for family values, and so on. Each god gives their unique view on today's cinema and society.

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Brokeback Mountain (2005)

two thumbs up, one thumb down

ZEUS: The Lord of Olympus is not without sympathy for these poor men. How many of my loves had to be hidden from certain prudish, hate-filled eyes? Thumbs up.

HERA: Indeed. Hmph. But what about their families? They both got married and had children. Whatever you do in youth, shouldn't you put it aside when you start a family? Thumbs down.

DIONYSOS: As for myself, what can a god of pleasure say? The sheep drinks from both streams for this boy from Mount Nysa. Honestly I'd rather like to see more sheep action next time, but that's just me. Thumbs up.

Brokeback Mountain (2005) is the story of two struggling men on one slippery slope. While herding sheep they fall into an ill-fated relationship. The consequences of this love, taboo in their native Wyoming and Texas, slowly tear their lives apart. Director Ang Lee (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon) takes a risk with this forbidden theme. Meanwhile, Heath Ledger (The Dark Knight) pulls off a convincing tongue-tied, conflicted cowboy.
Director: Ang Lee
Cast: Heath Ledger, Jake Gyllenhaal, Anne Hathaway, Randy Quaid
Rotten Tomatoes rating: 87% fresh
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DID YOU KNOW? While homosexual relationships were common in ancient Greece between youths and older men, they were rare for those of equal age. The youth was thought to learn nobility and bravery from the older man. Such relationships were said to be crucial to democracy, because the deep bonds of lovers outweighed loyalty to tyrants.