I elected not to watch the Oscars this year.

I've had mixed feelings about Brokeback Mountain since I read the short story. It wasn't bad. But it wasn't great. I enjoyed it on that level that one enjoys sad stories. I haven't seen the movie. I probably will someday. I know Ang Lee is a wonderful director. I'm sure it was a beautifully shot, well-acted, well-directed movie. But I have to confess to be baffled as to how it's ground-breaking. I've been reading around the post-oscar entries on my friends list. And latxcvi says pretty much everything I've been trying to say since the movie came out, but haven't been quite able to put words to.

I hesitate to say too much here because I've not yet seen Brokeback, and it's entirely possible that when I do, I'll have the same strong emotional connection with it others have, but ... If I'm being honest, I got really tired, really quickly, with hearing how revolutionary and ground-breaking it was. The whole idea of gay love denied/frowned upon because society wouldn't approve/understand? Of someone even essentially being punished because they eventually *aren't* willing to deny their homosexuality any more (which is certainly a credible reading of what ultimately happens to Jack in the story; I've read the short story, so I do know what I'm saying here)? That's a very traditional story, one Hollywood has told before. Is it great that that story is being seen in parts of America that wouldn't have countenanced hosting it 30, 40 or 50 years ago? Yes, that is great. But that doesn't mean the *story* itself is saying anything particularly revelatory or that's never been said before?