hollaback mountain

I've spent so much time with Ennis Del Mar and Jack Twist over the past week, I feel like we're old friends.
After seeing a screening of Brokeback Mountain last Friday, I now understand why Towleroad and other gay blogs have been so freakishly obsessed with the film: It’s a masterpiece.
OK, so maybe that’s overstating the case. There certainly have been movies that affected me more, and I’m reluctant to agree that this is the “gay Gone With the Wind," as one writer called it. But I will agree that the film deserves its “epic” nomenclature. Read my full review here.
After Friday’s screening, I had a chance on Sunday to attend the press junket, which included face time with Ang Lee and Heath Ledger. Both are quoted in my Blade cover story this week.
You'd think I'd have saddle sores by this point, but no, I wanted more. I read the Annie Proulx short story the film is based upon Sunday night, and nearly cried again. Amazing work. The New Yorker has kindly reposted the story on its site. But see the film first, seriously.

Anyway, now that the smoke has cleared, I realize I didn’t get to write much about the fascinating role the two women play in this movie. Anne Hathaway especially relishes her turn as Lureen, a Texas daddy’s girl whose bleachy hair gets a little closer to God with each passing scene. The Princess Diaries chick can actually act. Who knew?
I don’t usually put the word out that something is a “must-see,” but this is a notable exception. If the film is opening this weekend in your town, GET THEE TO A THEATER. If you’re like me, you’ll be thinking about Jack and Ennis for days afterward.