LIVE THREAD: Oprah does Brokeback

[SquallCloud]

Although I thought Heath's non-answer to the down low question was very deft, I was equally impressed with how Jake kind of shut down the lisp and swish question. He sidestepped the implication completely and made a point that no matter what you may think of a person, the boxes you choose to put them in may not be accurate.

I'm not going to diss Oprah because she is a great lady in a lot of respects but I have to agree with something someone said long ago and that was I enjoyed the interview despite Oprah, not because of her.

Oh! One more thing. Jake is awesome.

[divina]

They were respectful of each other's opinions, each glad to have a companion where none had been expected

I love this quote. It highlights one of the most beautiful aspects of Jack and Ennis' love - that they never try to change each other, just accept each other as they are. That's real love 

How wonderful, something I had not seen in the film. Guess after multiple readings and three viewings I still need to go back to learn more - and keep up with the posts here. In 20-20 hindsight of the Oprah show, I see the same relationship between Heath and Jake.

Aren't they beautiful.

They are so beautiful and their friendship does mirror the warmth and respect of their characters. I love both these guys on their own but to me the magic lies in them together. They just make a perfect fit 

[jack]

...chemistry between Heath and Jake. WOW!!! Such sizzle. I think they really share a special connection and have really complimentary personalities. Loved their ability to communicate with just a look, the way they deferred to each other, the obvious warmth and camaraderie between them, the flirting  and how loving and respectful they are to each other...

They were respectful of each other's opinions, each glad to have a companion where none had been expected

wayne, you know that line is special to me, but in this context you actually brought tears to my eyes... because i think you hit the nail on the head as far as heath and jake are concerned. how incredibly apropos.

  you sweet man.

jack

[sunspot]

OK, finally watched my DVD of the episode, which had started 35 minutes later than Oprah's site had indicated it would, dammit.  So I missed the last bit of the interview.

Oprah seemed pretty enthusiastic about the movie.  Not over the top, but she clearly liked it a lot.  I don't know how much this will do for the film at the box office - remember her own heavily-hyped Beloved tanked mercilessly.  Oprah can sell books, but there's no evidence she can sell movies.

I loved the way Heath shut down Oprah's "down low" obsession (she CLEARLY has some serious issues in that department).  He just cut her off with a tangential statement, got a strong positive reaction from the audience, and sent Oprah skittering off in a different direction.  Heath may not be very adept at dealing with interviews, but this was a crazy like a fox moment for him.  Well done.

Damn Jake Gyllenhaal is hot.  I remember watching The Day After Tomorrow at a Magnolia hi-fi store about six months ago and skipping around to see the effects scenes.  I noticed Jake too.  When it came on HDTV cable a few weeks later I Tivo'd it, just to see how it would look and sound in my own home.  The effects were quite impressive, but this time around I skipped around to all of Jake's scenes!  He was cute at the time, but damn he's handsome now.  And it's not just his looks – it's the way he carries himself, his body language.  This guy is a born movie star.  He's got all the tricks of the trade down.  Here's hoping Hollywood can find vehicles suitable to his talents.  And here I thought I was too old to get all giggly over a damn actor.

Heath Ledger looks completely different from Ennis Del Mar – it's hard for me to picture him in the role until you see him move and pick up on a few similar signals, mostly the way he stares down a lot.  Makes his performance seem all the more incredible.  It is interesting to note the two of them have a similar personality dynamic to Jack and Ennis, though.  There were a couple of moments, just flashes for me, where it was Jack and Ennis up there on screen.

[Almajunior]

A woman letting her fashion-challenged fiance pick out her dress?!?  Now THAT is true love. 

  I have to agree with you here!  I myself was not that keen on Michelle's Globes dress that evening, but considering Heath's sense of fashion, it could've been a disaster!

[Nick_F]

Does anyone in the uk know if we can see Oprah currently on Sky or terrestrial tv?

Can't find any information

[Alijoon]

Just wanted to say that I was amazed at the chemistry between Heath and Jake. WOW!!! Such sizzle. I think they really share a special connection and have really complimentary personalities. Loved their ability to communicate with just a look, the way they deferred to each other, the obvious warmth and camaderie between them, the flirting  and how loving and respectful they are to each other. Heath and Michelle are totally in love but to me that doesn't detract from the fact that Heath has a very special place in his heart for Jake..and we all know that Jack Nasty loves his Heath!

I LOVE THIS POST.. My sentiments exactly...

[phlmale]

They were respectful of each other's opinions, each glad to have a companion where none had been expected

head first
I love this quote. It highlights one of the most beautiful aspects of Jack and Ennis' love - that they never try to change each other, just accept each other as they are. That's real love 

How wonderful, something I had not seen in the film. Guess after multiple readings and three viewings I still need to go back to learn more - and keep up with the posts here. In 20-20 hindsight of the Oprah show, I see the same relationship between Heath and Jake.

i completely agree..and was FLOORED to see this personally..I did not expect to see those all-knowing looks between them..the non verbal communication.   yes they're actors in the same movie, and yes probably friends to a degree...but because they in real life mirror many of the characters' traits..and maybe in their mind since they both made a pact and dove into this story head first without looking back..they feel a close bond as well

[Alijoon]

i finally saw the oprah show,, and i have to say, i was smiling and laughing out loud the whole, time mainly in seeing Heath and Jake together.

My friend who taped it for me only taped part of it, so i missed the first five minutes or so, but overall, I loved it.

Here are my thoughts, humbly stated.

1. i loved how Heath changed the tone of the down-low comment, and managed to adroitly change the topic to gay relationships and how disappointed he is in people who do not let other people love whomever they choose.

2. Jake is a born star.  He is gorgeous, amazingly mature, and funny! He is HOT as all get out. I loved how he promoted the film and was totally at ease.

3. I love michelle.. she looked radiant. Heath's comment about her and Matilda, made me literally cheer at the screen. Although i have heard it before, heath says it with such conviction and love, it makes my heart melt.

4. Oprah did a good job promoting the movie. i have not seen an oprah show all the way through... (yes i call myself gay)... but i have seen a half and hour here, ten minutes there. i can see why she is the queen of all media. she does have a presence about her and is almost like the dowager empress of TV.

5.  i loved how anne said the answer to oprah's question was "obvious"  that made me laugh.. she was so embarrassed about it.

my main reaction.. I LOVED THE INTERACTION BETWEEN THE BOYZZZZZ!!!!!!  The have total chemistry and its obvious, to me anyway, that they like and respect each other. I think they learned from each other and comliment each other very well.  Heath can learn from jake and jake can learn from heath. i am hoping they remain friends for a long time.

BBM is ***THE*** movie of my lifetime. thank you proulx, lee, heath, jake, and everyone who was/is involved in this movie. and thank you *dave cullen*

[Ross:Broken]

A woman letting her fashion-challenged fiance pick out her dress?!?  Now THAT is true love. 

  I have to agree with you here!  I myself was not that keen on Michelle's Globes dress that evening, but considering Heath's sense of fashion, it could've been a disaster!

I agree, Almajunior.  I didn't love her dress either, but she really dodged a bullet there, considering... 

[danniboi]

Having been a lurker for weeks, actually ever since the film was released, I've finally come out in the open. So powerful an effect has this film been on me as I know it has been on all of us, it has profoundly changed the way I look at my life, and it has provided everyone with an affirmation that we all needed. Well enough of an introduction, I watched the Oprah feed again and what I realised, that rather than being negative about some aspects of the film or not being as infused about it as some have said, I would say she was very nervous. If you can tear yourself away from looking at Heath and Jake for a minute - difficult I know - you can see her body language and her voice is hesitant and twitchy in some places. She chose to do this show, but I do feel she was worried about how it might be received by her base audience and perhaps even by the studio audience, but she still did it. Being from the UK and not knowing much about Oprah, I think that she did a fairly good job of bringing this film to  the American public. 

[lynn]

Welcome, danniboi! Now that you are out of lurkdom we hope you will stay and join us here and in the other threads.

~Lynn

[Ross:Broken]

Just wanted to say that I was amazed at the chemistry between Heath and Jake. WOW!!! Such sizzle. I think they really share a special connection and have really complimentary personalities. Loved their ability to communicate with just a look, the way they deferred to each other, the obvious warmth and camaderie between them, the flirting  and how loving and respectful they are to each other. Heath and Michelle are totally in love but to me that doesn't detract from the fact that Heath has a very special place in his heart for Jake..and we all know that Jack Nasty loves his Heath!

I LOVE THIS POST.. My sentiments exactly...

I agree!  At first, I was wondering if maybe I was "projecting" Jack and Ennis on Jake and Heath...looking for some "bonus footage" of them interacting! 

But they really do seem to connect with each other in such a fantastic way...you could almost see them falling back into the rhythm they must have shared on the set.  Boy, do those two have chemistry. 

Heath, wow, what an incredible, amazing talent.  But Jake, that man is a movie star in the "old Hollywood" sense. 

All four were adorable...they seemed just the tiniest bit giddy (if modest) over the positive reaction the world is having to their movie...it must be so gratifying to see your labor of love embraced so lovingly.  I hope they all soak up that adulation: they have earned it.

[killersmom]

Having been a lurker for weeks, actually ever since the film was released, I've finally come out in the open. So powerful an effect has this film been on me as I know it has been on all of us, it has profoundly changed the way I look at my life, and it has provided everyone with an affirmation that we all needed. Well enough of an introduction, I watched the Oprah feed again and what I realised, that rather than being negative about some aspects of the film or not being as infused about it as some have said, I would say she was very nervous. If you can tear yourself away from looking at Heath and Jake for a minute - difficult I know - you can see her body language and her voice is hesitant and twitchy in some places. She chose to do this show, but I do feel she was worried about how it might be received by her base audience and perhaps even by the studio audience, but she still did it. Being from the UK and not knowing much about Oprah, I think that she did a fairly good job of bringing this film to  the American public. 

Welcome danniboi,
Yet another wonderful lurker turned poster from the great UK. So glad to have you with us in mind and not just spirit. It is a fantastic place, which I'm sure you have already figured out.

The Oprah segment was a good one in some aspects and not in others, but as has been pointed out in previous postings, it was good publicity and got the movie out there to a wider audience. Just that simple. Thanks for your insight from someone who lives in another country and is not familiar with the Oprah penomenom. It's good to have you here

Keep sharing with us, your thoughts and opinions are important to all of us.

killersmom

[jack]

A woman letting her fashion-challenged fiance pick out her dress?!?  Now THAT is true love. 

  I have to agree with you here!  I myself was not that keen on Michelle's Globes dress that evening, but considering Heath's sense of fashion, it could've been a disaster!

I agree, Almajunior.  I didn't love her dress either, but she really dodged a bullet there, considering... 

i told several people here when i saw the picture, that they looked like the kids from the poor side of town dressed up for the prom.   completely out of their league, but sweet nonetheless. 

jack