Why Everyone Is Wrong About The Oscars Show #4

The final myth: audiences will be turned off because Brokeback Mountain is controversial. First of all, Brokeback Mountain isn't controversial. As story after story has shown, Brokeback is playing in the heartland just as well as it's playing on the coasts. Reviews have been unanimously strong, the far right hasn't staged any demonstrations or boycotts to protest it or even condemned the movie strongly, and teenage girls (and some teenage boys) are lining up to see it again and again. The movie has grossed $50 million, opens wide this weekend and will probably gross $90 to $100 million when all is said and done. That's a blockbuster for a quiet drama like this. By every standard, Brokeback is a landmark film embraced by audiences around the country -- and increasingly around the world. And why exactly would controversy keep people from watching the Oscars? What will Jake or Heath say if they win? And will the gay cowboy movie win Best Picture? If I were one of the producers, I'd be thrilled it's a frontrunner. There's a huge curiosity factor and that's why Oscar has nothing to worry about.