Over-hyped, completely over-hyped.

Rating: 4/10 (4 March 2006)

I don't get the fuzz about Brokeback Mountain.
Everyone says that the gay-aspect is not the essence of the movie, but I beg to differ: with the same story, same setting, but a straight couple, it would never receive the title "movie of the year" as it does now.
That a film about a gay love story is tricky business in puritan USA, will not surprise anyone. America is well-known for its prude attitude towards sexuality in general; therefore a gay-film will be more of a risk in the States than in Europe.
I believe this movie is being hijacked by self-proclaimed "progressive" and "intellectual" people, to demonstrate just how progressive they really are. I am far from anti-gay, I've got close friends which are gay, and I love them very much. It bothers me that this is in essence an average film with a so-so story, and a gay-aspect is now being misused by people to sound politically correct.
Yes, the nature shots are beautiful. But the Discovery Channel shows me those images too. Yes, Heath Ledger is a good actor and he plays his part very well. But is this enough to be "the film of the year"? Not at all. And that's where the gay-aspect comes in. Too bad..