Stupid Cowboys....

It wasn't the homosexuality. No, if the film had simply been about two random homosexual people and their relationship, it most likely would have been widely ignored. The film would have been watched with those that already agreed with it. The problem that most non was - the cowboys.

When Brokeback Mountain made its cowboys homosexual, many people viewed that as an attack on an American tradition. Cowboys have long been the symbol of American masculinity, followed closely by lumberjacks, soldiers, and private eyes. Homosexuality is widely viewed as a less than masculine trait, and that - not the homosexuality itself - was the main problem that most non-homosexual audiences had with the film. No doubt they were also offended at the depiction of those not in favor of homosexuality as violent bigots, as well.

Homosexuals would most likely take no offense at the depiction of the cowboys in this film, but they've got plenty to be offended at as well. The two homosexuals in this film aren't exactly good poster children - they cheat on their spouses, for one thing.

The one thing that both sides can agree on to dislike about this film, however, is that these cowboys are idiots. I'm no marksman - all right, I'm a very, very bad shot - all right, I literally cannot hit the broad side of a barn - with a shotgun - and I still might have been able to make it. Either of my twin brothers (They're twins, I am not. That question always arises.) could certainly have made it. They hunt poisonous snakes for fun, for crying out loud. A cowboy who has to live out in the wilderness for months at a time should never have missed that shot. Of course, it might have helped if he had actually taken a realistic period time to aim, or used a rifle, with, I don't know, a scope.

Their camp was ridiculous, as well. Where was their food supply? I saw one box, left on the ground. First, you don't keep food on the ground, especially near your camp. You might as well put up a large sign saying "Bears stop here!" You keep it in an aerial or buried cache, well away from camp. They left their supplies (pots, pans, cooking tripod, etc) outside all night? Raccoons can steal things that are literally bolted down. These cowboys would have been wiped out of supplies and food in days, and sleeping on the bare ground because their tent was barely staked at all.

Also, just as a point of accuracy, no cowboy hates beans. Ever. That would be like a lumber jack hating axes and saws. Beans are what you eat, if you are a cowboy. They are a staple, like flour or water. Not every ranch worker and bar drinker wears a cowboy hat, either. Some wear feed caps.

Sure, there is and always will be controversy and disagreement over this film. At least both sides of the debate can at least agree that they should have talked to some real cowboys though. At least there's one thing about which we can all get along.