grossing over $100,000 per screen, "brokeback mountain," the film about two men in rural wyoming who, despite all attempts at living a straight life, fall in love with disastrous consequences, broke the largest per screen opening of a non-animated film of all time. ("memoirs of a geisha," which has been marketed by hollywood's marketing machine, came in this weekend as the second largest per-screen opening of a non-aminated film.)
both films were released in roughly the same markets. "memoirs" seems to have been advertised in every single available surface area of advertising space in the united states. "brokeback," because of its "controversial" subject matter, has not. (nota bene: "memoirs" is about a destitute female child who is sold into a form of slavery and then is then trained to be an entertainer for men. you choose which one is more "controversial.")
anyway, both films go into wide release in the next two weeks.
i already have the oscar predictions for "brokeback":
winner - best direction - ang lee
winner - best lead actor - heath ledger (sorry, jake, you weren't really believable)
nominated - best picture - but it may go to "walk the line" and possibly "memoirs" (provided that the academy goes for mass appeal) [i'd put my vote in for "crash" or "the constant gardener" but i'm not in the academy, so my opinion doesn't count]
the direction by ang lee is first rate. the subtleties of the interactions between the characters, especially in a complex situation portrayed in "brokeback," can only be accomplished by a first rate director and intelligent, self-actualized actors. heath ledger shines as the star. much of the interaction is unspoken and is portrayed by quick glances and body movements. the increasing madness and paranoia of ennis' character (ledger) is done superbly. neither men quite understand what is happening to them - there simply isn't any frame of reference in rural wyoming, neither men has anyone to talk to about what is happening to them, and well... i don't want to spoil the ending.
in any case, when this film comes to your town, go see it.
Monday, December 12, 2005
brokeback mountain breaks box office record
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2 comments:
you might be onto something there. i remember a certain scene when he saunters over to the rodeo clown as if nothing was wrong and quietly winks at him. the pain that twist was feeling was less being in the closet and denying who he was (he knew who he was) and more because of ennis' reluctance to be himself.
whoa. i demand the academy appoint me to queen guru bitch. ;)
just out:
http://www.cnn.com/2005/SHOWBIZ/Movies/12/12/leisure.film.reut/index.html
"The New York Film Critics Circle gave the film its awards for best film, best director and best actor, for Heath Ledger."
they, obviously, read my post. :D 0=) >=D
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