Access Atlanta > Movies > Blog > Archives > 2006 > January > 26 > Entry
It’s Smithee vs. ‘Brokeback’ in war of the worlds
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Dear Mr. Smithee,
Your comment about Ang Lee (potentially) winning Oscar’s best director because “he’s never won before” shows how ridiculous you are. And blatantly biased! Did you see the movie? It is beautifully choreographed, directed and produced. He deserves to win because it is an excellent movie, NOT because he hasn’t won it yet. Just what are your credentials?
Rod Hardy, Atlanta
Dear Unbiased,
Oh, how you hurt me. You cut Mr. Smithee to the quick.
What have I ever done to you or Ang Lee or anyone to make you think I would state an opinion about a movie without having seen it?
I have seen “Brokeback Mountain” twice. I agree with you that it is very well directed. I am, however, not so sure about how well it was choreographed because, admittedly, I didn’t pay close enough attention to the dancing scenes. I did, however, enjoy the cinematography and the film editing and the acting and the Fourth of July fireworks and Jake Gyllenhaal’s growing sideburns and those adorable lambs the guys let ride on the horses with them.
“Brokeback Mountain” is a fine movie. And, as I have said, I think it will win Oscar’s best picture and director.
But that doesn’t make it a better movie than, say, “Capote” or “A History of Violence.”
My remarks regarding Mr. Lee’s expected victory were intended to mean that the fact he has not won a best director Oscar before would certainly, in my oh-so-humble opinion, tip the scale in his favor. Especially against other potential nominees (and previous winners) such as Woody Allen (“Match Point”) and Steven Spielberg (“Munich”).
Mr. Lee also should win because he’s made a number of wonderful movies, including “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,” “The Ice Storm,” “Sense and Sensibility” and “Eat, Drink, Man, Woman.”
They all happen, to me, to be better films than “Brokeback Mountain.”
My choices for bests of the year include (1) picture - “Capote”; (2) actor - Philip Seymour Hoffman, “Capote”; and (3) actress - Felicity Huffman, “Transamerica.”
Oh, and you wondered about my credentials.
Safe to say, Rod, in my lifetime I’ve probably seen a lot more movies than you. And it’s likely I’ve met and interviewed more celebrities than you (among them, Ang Lee, Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal).
By the way, you don’t have to agree with me. But you’ll be a little wiser if you do.
Alan
P.S. You get a chocolate severed finger for “Saw II” and an “Ask Alan Smitheeā? T-shirt.
Dear Mr. Smithee,
You made the comment: “Brokeback Mountain” will win Oscarss best picture. There’s more than a handful of other better films … out there, but, as always, it just doesn’t matter.
I think you owe it to the many readers who both disagree and agree with you to list the films in order of preference and give an explanation of why one is better than the others.
Don Rushing, Atlanta
Dear Mother Smithee,
Please, Mother, don’t hit me. I’ll eat my peas. They are so good. Yum. See, I’m eating them now. Don’t hit me. Please, Mother. Don’t.
What is it about “Brokeback Mountain” that gets folks so riled up? Have I ever said it was a bad film? Well, no.
But the film is too long. It does linger on the scenery longer than it should. Heath Ledger gives a really good performance. Jake Gyllenhaal gives a good performance.
One thing I keep wondering: In the fireworks scene, when Heath is standing on one side of the screen and Michelle Williams is standing on the other and fireworks are bursting in the air above them - just what is that scene other than a pretty picture? What meaning does it give to the story?
I am not going to list all the movies I think are better than “Brokeback Mountain.” But I will give you two.
“Capote” is better acted and features a much more detailed character than any of the characters in “Brokeback.”
“A History of Violence” has better staged, revealing, powerful sex scenes that delineate what is happening to the psyches of its intricate characters.
But all that’s just me.
I was much more an admirer of “The Sea Inside” than “Million Dollar Baby.” Of “City of God” and “The Hours” than “Chicago.” Of “Mulholland Drive” and “Monster’s Ball” than “A Beautiful Mind.” Of “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” than “Gladiator.”
But I knew each of the latter films would win best picture.
Alan
P.S. You get a “Glory Road” jersey and an “Ask Alan Smithee” T-shirt.
Have a question for Mr. Smithee?
E-mail him at alansmithee@ajc.com or go to accessAtlanta.com and click on Movies. Please include your name, city and daytime phone number. Mr. Smithee can’t reply to every request, but inquiries chosen for publication will receive movie-related prizes.
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By Matthew
January 31, 2006 10:04 AM | Link to this
I am so happy this film recieved 8 Oscar nominations and it deserved more. Being a fan of westerns and of forbidden romance I was so compelled to see this classic.
It was truly one of the top two movies I’ve ever seen in all my life. I had read the short story by Annie Proulx twice prior to seeing the film. The movie unfolded exactly as I had pictured the events and characters in my mind.
Larry McMurtry and the author did well to portray the harsh lives of two very poor young men who had nothing but the raw beauty of rural Wyoming and themselves to bring them comfort in an otherwise unforgiving time in their lives. It so much reminds me of my days as a Marine in Okinawa.
I was seriously moved by this movie. You’ll find that it will be forever etched in your mind as it tends to haunt you afterward with a bittersweet yearning for that impossible, unfinished love the two men shared. If you have a chance to read the book, do. It will explain some of the scenes in the film that otherwise don’t make sense. Seriously - this film will live with you for a long, long time. The only thing missing was my hero John Wayne.