the deed is done


I saw Brokeback Mountain tonight, finally. With Jason. Bit the bullet, if you'll pardon the western pun. I am alive, although currently intoxicated... we went for a few "decompression" drinks afterward, including "Horny Cowboy" shots and--after three or four pints each of Stella--a couple of long-necked Buds in honour of Jack and Ennis.

It's a stunningly beautiful movie. Yes, Heath Ledger will receive a best actor nomination for his performance. Yes, Jake Gyllenhaal's eyes are an impossible shade of blue against the backdrop of his denim shirt. Michelle Williams, Ang Lee's genius, yadda yadda yadda...

I knew this film was coming, and I tried to prepare: I read the short story by Annie Proulx; I watched the trailer online in September and cried (and vowed to be either 30 pounds lighter or one boyfriend heavier by the release date); I resigned myself to seeing it single and with a belly. It still managed to surprise me, though. Not just the cinematography (my God, Canada is beautiful) or the music (Jason and I wanted to buy Willie Nelson and Emmylou Harris drinks tonight), but in particular the performance of a stalwart mainstay of Canadian theatre and film: Roberta Maxwell. Her nuanced, spare portrayal of Jack Twist's mother--and the screenplay's ever-so-slight elaboration from her scenes in the short story--made me realize that, in the end, everyone knows. Parents, children, friends... you can't hide who you are from the people in your life. My parents know, on some level, that I'm a poof. I'm going to have to talk to them about it.

Comments

zTransmissions said…
great post. i've been super wanting to see this too but the person i wanted to see it with and i just broke up and it now seems somehow inappropriate. i'm going to cry when i see it, aren't i.
madamerouge said…
Yes you are, Z, but you would even if you were coupled up in the happiest pairing in the history of humanity. This is an achingly beautiful love story. End of story.

Thanks for your comment. I'm still tweaking my post... it's way past my bedtime...
toobusyliving said…
I REALLY wish I had ben there to see it with you Mloyd - it seems that you, like everyone else I know that saw it, took something powerful and personal away from it. That's the kind of movie it is -universal themes broken down into beautiful vignettes - really lots to think about. Maybe we should see it again.
Ummmmm...isn't it about two guys that cheat on their wives?
Jason said…
Guess if 6 beers, 4 shooters, an egg salad sandwich, pasta salad, left over spaghetti and raspberry pie is low cal or not?

I also owe you $85.

Life is such a precious treat!
madamerouge said…
YJA, my Catholic friend, thanks for your input. Jason, you only owe me $40 & change (1/2 the bar tab).
Jason - You owe me for the other half of the bar tab.
BTW I can't believe you went to sit through that 2.5 hour movie again.
Anonymous said…
can't believe jason went again without me! grrrrrrrr....you know you could have called a sista. FACK...you all hate me so much. (boo hoo) jk...glad u saw it...i'm sure jason must be a royal mess yet again.

i am drinking wine btw..at home..holidays are great!
Unknown said…
Too many fridge notes about moolah here. We got to clear this place out.

Mit, they went without me too. It's OK.
madamerouge said…
Mitz, we thought you were downtown with the offspring & therefore unable to come along.

AG, next time you're in Toronto...
Jason said…
I'm still in a coma.
Jason said…
Maybe I'll go work in a coal mine. I bet I know one that's hiring about 12 spots too.
mistipurple said…
wow, i just saw the trailer. coming to singapore on feb 16th only. darn. you got me hooked. and i don't normally hook easy. and i will cry.
car@ said…
oi! i will have to check out what is the tittle in Spanish! you know here we doubble everything into spanish! even the titles! so stupid!!! ESTÚPIDO!!!!
Anonymous said…
jason: you are going straight to hell. of course so am I cause i giggled.
mlyod: love the drunk 1:30 a.m. posts. so... heath or jake?? or both... ummmm..... :) jooles.
madamerouge said…
100% Jake forever, Jooles.
Anonymous said…
i laughed too Jooles!
Unknown said…
I am taking you up on that. I will be in Toronto for passover with UC's family in April.
toobusyliving said…
Passover is one of the things I'm going to be learning about before I convert.
Unknown said…
You are converting toobusy? If you are serious, Uncanny Canadian has all the connections in Toronto and would be happy to help in any way possible. Though, I warn you that he'll try to invite himself to the b-mitzvah. He is a sucker for a torah reading.
Anonymous said…
JASON!!!!!!!!!
Midniter said…
Madame...sorry it's taken me so long to post over here. I think that I had actually read your review before I went to go and see it again, because I remember paying more attention to Jack's mother the 2nd time around and the knowing looks that she gave Ennis. I thought it was particularly touching when she touched his arm after Jack's father told Ennis about Jack's plans...plans that didn't involve Ennis. She knew what that did to Ennis and that small kindness that she showed him touched me deeply.

What's in a "Horny Cowboy?"
madamerouge said…
Hi Troy. That paper bag... I still choke up when I think about that scene.

Although I'll have to check with Jason first, I think Amaretto and Baileys go into a "Horny Cowboy" (Baileys on top). Jason was introduced to the shot in Alberta over Christmas...
Midniter said…
I'll have to remember that for the next time I get a shot...

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