Today's topic of discussion.

[hackthis_archive]

In today's Variety there's an article on Brokeback Mountain, one of many that have come out over the last few months and which will doubtlessly be followed by many more. I mention this because in reading it this comment caught my eye,


I don't believe they would have ever allowed an openly queer director to make this movie, nor do I believe that actors of this calibre would have signed on. In a long line of ironic outcomes, it took these guys [Jake Gyllenhaal & Heath Ledger] with impeccable heterosexual credentials to make this kind of breakthrough.
-Critic and author B. Ruby Rich

Do you lot agree with that?

Discuss.

Comments

[hackthis.livejournal.com]

I think, in Hollywood's, well, not defense, but you know, in explanation of their general thought process -- damn that's a convoluted sentence. Right, okay, Hollywood is all about making the most money possible, so historically speaking, they've done that with their straight actors, because like it or not, the majority of the viewing audience is straight, so they can relate. By casting straight actors into gay roles Hollywood is attempting to draw their straight audiences away from their narrow viewpoints, by saying hey, he's straight, he's just *acting* gay. It's okay, don't be afraid, you won't catch the gay. I know, stupid, but well, no one ever said people are smart. A person is smart, people are just idiotic.