Brokeback Mountain: Jake and Heath

I definitely do not think that Jake chose the role in Jarhead based on any feelings that he had to prove his masculinity after Brokeback Mountain. I think that Jake chose the role in Jarhead for the same reason he chose the role in Brokeback Mountain: the film had a meaningful message expressed through an excellent storyline. Heath probably chose the role for Casanova because the film was big budget and based on a historical legend. Again, I do not think that either of these actors chose these uber-masculine roles based on a need to prove their own masculinity after filming Brokeback Mountain.

These heartthrob actors would not have agreed to be in an independent film about two bisexual men if they felt it would taint their masculinity in any way. So many famous actors turned down roles in BM for that very reason, like Mark Wahlberg Joaquin Phoenix, and Matt Damon.

Regarding Jake’s assertions about not being gay, I don’t think there is any thing wrong with him correcting any such rumors. Again, if he felt any discomfort about being associated with homosexuality/bisexuality he would not have taken the role in the first place.

Regarding the fact that Heath Ledger had an affair with Michelle Williams on set, maybe they just fell in love. It would be jumping to conclusions to assume that the started seeing her just so he could prove how straight he was.

Brokeback Mountain...

Jarhead takes place in the late 1980s. It is about Anthony Swofford, Jake Gyllenhaal, who becomes a sniper during the Gulf War. He is sent to Saudi Arabia and after days and days of boredom and heat Desert Strom takes place. This exposes Anthony Swofford to actual war. He sees dead bodies, burned bodies, and he gets a chance to do some killing himself. While Jarhead is about a young mans journey through war Brokeback Mountain is about two young mans journey through abnormal love. Ironically Casanova is a love story as well. Casanova, Heath Ledger, is in love with his friend Francesca. Although he is in love with some one else he is engaged to Victoria who is in love with Francesca’s brother. Throughout the love triangle and secrecy Casanova is brought by the Catholic Church to be trial for being an unorthodox catholic.  Although a love story Casanova is nothing like the love story of Brokeback Mountain. Both Jarhead and Casanova show the struggle of manly men. Ones that go to war, have a healthy and wild sex life, and are just the epitome of men. Even though Cowboys are very manly being a homosexual usually is associated with being very feminine. Viewers can tell that Jake Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger were a little uncomfortable in their characters because of the social life they took apart of during the filming of Brokeback Mountain. Jake Gyllenhaal continuously reinforced that we was not gay while Heath Ledger had an affair with a women from the film. This does not mean they are uncomfortable with the lifestyles of homosexual, I think it just means they do not want to be taken away from their manly persona.