The Acadamy, in overlooking BBM as best picture, shot my airplane out a the sky as I know it did for many others. I have been wrestling with myself asking why this is so. In an effort to get perspective on my keen disappointment, I have read Roger Ebert several times chiding us for savaging Crash with no grace in our response. Ebert argues (and concludes):
The nature of the attacks on "Crash" by the supporters of "Brokeback Mountain" seem to proceed from the . . . position: "Brokeback" is better not only because of its artistry but because of its subject matter, and those who disagree hate homosexuals.
The truth of Ebert’s analysis is evident in the remarks of many who prefer BBM to Crash. In watching the clips of Crash on Oscar night I realized that I actually had seen the movie but forgotten it. I will never forget BBM as long as I live. It is moot to me whether slavery, anti-semitism, political witch hunts, urban crime, or homophopia has caused the most suffering in the world. But I would not underestimate the possible primacy of the latter.
But what I still do not understand is the given that Hollywood homophobia is such a long cry from any thing we found in Wyoming. There come to mind some of Hollywood’s most famous stars who were closeted homosexuals; and Hollywood’s most famous, who helped closet them.
Why did the Academy, from its privileged, educated, enlightened, and prior familiarity with the miseries inflicted on their own with confused identities, not jump at the opportunity of placing their imprimatur on an epoch-making first in cinematographic history?
Whatever the answer to that question, I do know that Annie Proulx in Brokeback Mountain gave to us a classic statement of the human tragedy of missed opportunity, and in that sad sense has comprehended the Academy themselves.
