Has anybody read the short story "Brokeback Mountain?"

[Wetzelbill]

It's by Annie Proulx. I just got "Still Wild: Short Fiction of The American West" edited by Larry McMurtry, from the library, specifically to read "Brokeback Mountain."

It's a beautiful story, gorgeously written, and I was surprised to find that the film was quite true to this story. Obviously, a film has to fill in spaces that a 29 page short story doesn't cover, but Ang Lee did a great job in capturing the essence. McMurtry and Diana Ossana definitely did their homework in adapting the story into a screenplay. (Ossana has her own short story in the book too)

I felt the movie cultivated the angle about Ennis Del Mar letting down the people around him much more than the short story. In fact, I felt the film was less a gay love story, than the story of a man who hurt the others around him by being aloof and at times selfish. I noted how loyal Ennis's wife and daughters were and how they were so hurt by him, or his girlfriend as well, and of course, Jack Twist was the one who sacrificed the most and was hurt the worst by him. In the short story this theme isn't quite as evident, it's there just not as strong as the film puts forth this theme. The short story captures the pure love of the relationship, maybe not more, but it emphasizes this concept more.

Anyway, I highly recommend the short story. Hopefully, you can find it at the library, or get it online by subscribing to The New Yorker, since it is in the archives there.

[LisaM]

1. Yes, I have read it, and I agree

the movie was very true to the short story - one of the best adaptations I've seen. It was a beautiful short story.

[Lefty-Taylor]

2. Yes I did read it about a decade ago in The NYer and

thought it was fantastic. Proulx's writing is so fresh and smart, and this story -- which my wife and some friends also read and commented positively about it at the time -- hits so many emotional buttons.

I left the movie feeling that it was one of the more powerful films I'd seen. Too bad it didn't win the Oscar.

Speaking of The New Yorker, did anyone see the cover recently that showed Cheney as Ennis and W as Jack. Hilarious!!

[Wetzelbill]

3. Welcome to DU!

no I didn't see that cover, lol. Sounds hilarious, I'll have to look it up.

[greenman3610]

4. saw the movie last nite

wife and I agreed it was not so much about love as
about how people get stuck in roles and often don't
find the strength to speak their truth.
Since the story is sparse, the actors had to
do a great job to communicate the essentials.
very well done.

[Wetzelbill]

5. they truly did a nice job of communication

you have that right. :)

[XemaSab]

6. Read the short story,

Didn't see the movie.

[Wetzelbill]

7. it's definitely worth checking out

Great film.