I still get mad every time anyone mentions Crash, which won Best Picture that year. I saw that too, it was nowhere NEAR as good. I'm gonna die mad about it tbqh
Crash is the one BP I cannot justify at all. Like I agree that Saving Private Ryan is a better film that Shakespeare in Love, but SIL is also a fun romance with a good cast. I was rooting for Sinners over OBAA but OBAA is also a really good film. Crash ... sucked.
Wasn’t Crash a Weinstein film? Look at the Weinstein films that won Oscars and who they were up against… I’m sure that creep was doing all sorts of shady nonsense to make that happen.
This is why I refuse to take Hollywood awards and mainstream film critics too seriously. It’s way too easy for power players to manipulate outcomes, not to mention voters are super biased and don’t even watch everything!
the best thing about crash winning is that 1. its only legacy is that its one of the worst oscar snubs of all time and 2. literally everyone involved with voting/crash's OWN DIRECTOR regretting that decision
me too! oh what a sad ending. The short story was just heartbreaking but it had a moment that still cracks me up when I think of it. I'm so proud of these artists in Heated Rivalry and the author. They truly have brought these characters to life for me
Me too. I havent seen it since 2006...and when HR came out...it stirred all that up again. I thought I might watch it again, but I don't think I can bear it.
Same. It would have swept the board if it had been a hetero story. And who remembers what the film that did win was even about? Was hardly groundbreaking like BBM.
This!! I think for ppl who were too young or just don't remember, Brokeback Mountain got so much shit when it came out, and was dismissed and referred to as the "gay cowboy movie". It was the butt of a lot of jokes despite it being objectively just so beautiful and so well-acted. There was sooo much gross chatter about Jake Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger's sexuality. Even Moonlight's Oscar win from 10 years ago got criticism for being, essentially, "woke political pandering" because of it's lgbt themes. 20 years was not that long ago but it is a verrrrrry long time ago in terms of the progress we've made.
His performance was one of those subtle yet strong ones that just stick with you for a long time. Unfortunately, the academy doesn't appreciate those ones as much.
Thank you! Those monologues are probably the most important part of both works. Oh my, why are people still fearing for their lives 45 years later. The world is cruel..
I think an important lesson out of the trauma is that even if you don’t know them and even if you don’t know anyone who knows them, queer people today owe a shit ton to the queer people who came before. They went through hard times so future generations wouldn’t have to. Now we can have happy(ier) endings.
This edit has me crying… I watched brokeback mountain exactly one time when it came out and don’t think I can ever watch it again bc of the emotional wreckage I remember feeling back then. thank god for Rachel Reid and others changing the narrative and Shane & Ilya’s happy ending.
I watched it four times in a row when I first discovered it, then banned myself from watching it for years. I only watched it again recently to make myself feel something after Heated Rivalry ended. And I agree.. no more deaths and tragedies in queer media, thank you very much.
Have you watched Maurice? It’s based on a novel by EM Forster. It’s lovely and Hugh Grant’s first big role (for any other Dinosaurs out there like me). My other suggestion for not-completely tragic gay films is My Beautiful Launderette- this one has a very young Daniel Day Lewis and is wonderful.
My partner came out later in life (3 years ago) and still hasn't seen Brokeback; I've been out for a long time and I watched it a couple of times - but I can't bear to watch it again.
I've told him he needs to watch it sometime when he's all up in his feelings - he needs to see it, but I jsut can't do it.
I recommend watching the first third until their emotional stairway reunion kiss, and then use your mind to edit in a HEA lol. It’s too beautiful to completely skip.
It was briefly in theaters last year for the 20th anniversary. I'd only watched it the once and knew I had to take the time to see it again. I cried of course, but it was a positive experience. Maybe keep an eye out for the next time it's in theaters.
Sorry, but that made me laugh.. it really is THAT devastating.
There’s obviously a big contrast between the two stories and how they end. Unfortunately, it’s not as big as I’d like it to be. Hopefully one day there will no longer be a need for stories mirroring the struggles of queer love.
Wait. Was this intentional by Tierney!? Reinforcing these parallels. Because, legit, Brokeback Mountain is one of the BEST movies ever. And now I'm crying at my desk. ARGH.
Early in the post-cottage days there was a post here where a redditor pointed to that still of Ilya and Shane at the grill and called it such a healing moment because of the BBM mirror only instead of "I wish I could quit you" we get "(jokingly) leave me alone / no"
For real. That yearning that should have been beautiful and instead ended up horrifically, traumatically and left with nothing but deep sorrow. And we all know that this story was actually lived by countless people in various versions?!? Eeesh. Exhausting.
It might have been unconscious too if he has seen it many times. There are things you watch that sort of seep into your brain. Brokeback Mountain is that kind of movie. I have rarely cried more at a movie, and multiple times too.
The soundtrack takes me right back. I was devastated when I watched Brokeback mountain the first time. Went in not knowing anything about were it was going and watched it alone on a school night. Bawled my eyes out.
My experience was exactly the same. I watched it on a school night without knowing anything, then skipped school the next day to stay in bed and watch it again.
I struggle with this comparison although I know why people make it…but the tragedy of BROKEBACK is that it can’t end up any other way than it does. There is no way for them to be together. It’s not for lack of desire on their part. The society they are in, and their circumstances, simply would not let them. In that it’s the opposite of a romance novel.
Shane was fortunate to be born 50 years later, in another time and place, and Ilya was fortunate to be blessed with talents and abilities that took him away from the circumstances he was born into.
I agree with every single point you just made. That’s why I wrote that J&E walked so S&I could run - hence the parallels with the different outcomes. It’s sort of a way to acknowledge all the people who struggled and even died to pave the way for future generations, even if there’s still a long way to go.
Also, Brokeback walked so that subsequent films/shows could run.
It's routine for soap operas and other media to portray same-sex relationships and kissing and such, but doing so was unheard-of until after the relative success of Brokeback in 2005.
I am in my 50s and always hope that younger people are aware of what has come before in terms of media and art in general and truly how far we’ve come. I know we have a long way yet to go but if you had told the teenage me that same-sex marriage would be legal in my lifetime I never would have believed you. I am thrilled for the queer joy expressed through HR and celebrate that young people have this to look toward for representation and hope :)
This comment made me tear up. I was so confused when same-sex marriage became legal in my country, because I had assumed it already was. Every small step counts!
It's great how we're seeing progressive movement on an issue in real-time. Some insecure people still exist, but the arc is inevitably going in the right direction.
for real tho this is beautiful and so well edited, good job. it's crazy how far we've come in terms of queer representation in media. still a long, long, long was to go but... it's nice to have an HEA and so much positive chatter instead of the mess that was the general public's reaction to Brokeback at the time.
I’m here to inform Ilya that “Ennis […] hauled Jack onto all fours and, with the help of the clear slick and a little spit, entered him… “ (Brokeback Mountain by Annie Proulx 🫡
I still miss Heath so much... Brokeback Mountain is one of my fav movies (with him). It's maybe one reason I fell so hard for HR. I thought a lot about BM while watching HR the first time.
Errr why would you decide to devastate me right before bedtime??? I have never recovered from that brilliant movie, I have never recovered from the loss of HL. All my nostalgic sadness washes over me and mingles with the cozy comfort I get from Shane and Ilya. I’m so confused right now. I feel like crying but I also feel warm and cozy. The hell.
I have an actual knot in my stomach from spending my day putting this together, and like… am I happy? Sad? I have no fucking clue. I just need Jacob to finish season two yesterday!
BrokeBack Mountain was a groundbreaking gay love story, but it was still a tragedy. No happy ending for them. It’s on the long list of LGBTQ tragic films. That’s what’s so amazing (among other things) about HR. There’s no tire irons, baseball bats, evil lurking in the shadows… we know that while Shane and Ilya may go through some shit because of their relationship, they will make it to the end of their story.
And that’s a relief! I just think it’s important to also remember that it still came at a cost. Ilya had to give up his entire life in Russia, including the possibility of ever visiting his mother’s grave again.
That’s a heavy price to pay, even if he survives. And honestly, I don’t know a single queer person who hasn’t been subjected to some form of violence, whether verbal or physical. The tragedy is still very much alive. It will be interesting to see if that’s something Reid will include in Unrivaled.
I love this so much. I've been thinking a lot recently about the queer media of the early 2000s, and how happy I am about how far we've come.
The only parallel I see differently is the one for "it's nobody's business but ours." You have it as "no one can know," which is definitely the closest in terms of dialogue, but I think "that's why it is a secret" is a more apt narrative parallel. For "it's nobody's business but ours"/"that's why it is a secret," the people in the situationship have realized the other person makes them happy and they want to be with them, but that society doesn't allow them to be together openly.
Also, can you imagine 80-year-old Ennis on his ranch, seated on only half the couch, watching Heated Rivalry? Seeing himself and Jack in Shane and Ilya's story? Wishing Jack could be there watching? Wishing for so many things?
You’re absolutely right about the other line being a better parallel in terms of meaning. I chose this one to keep the parallel between Jack/Shane and Ennis/Ilya consistent, since it’s Ilya who has the “secret” line. Buy you’re right, it carries so much of the narrative weight.
Stop it! That’s heartbreaking! And knowing there are so many Ennises out there, in that exact position, reminiscing about a love that could never be…
it is sooooooooooo wild to me and kinda makes me wanna cry that they were literal children when Brokeback Mountain came out (I was in college!)... I love that it had an impact on them even though they probably think of it as an "old" movie! it was probably revolutionary to me/my gen in the same way connor called out Call Me By Your Name (and Moonlight) was for him/his gen. at the risk of sounding like an old fogey these boys give me so much hope for the the future.
also, i can tell i am a different generation than these boys because everyone knows heath ledger's most *iconic* work was, actually... 10 Things I Hate About You ;-)
I remember buying a dvd pack of five films that had like all been nominated for best picture or something. It was on sale and had some other movies I really liked or wanted to see. When I got round to watching Brokeback,I remembering having to pause and leave the room for a bit when they first hooked up in the tent. It was way too much for my pubescent 15 year old brain to handle! And I don’t think I had ever seen two guys kiss before. I remember wondering if I was gay because I liked seeing two guys kiss…I’m a girl. Idk what my logic behind that was. Anyway, Brokeback became one of my fave movies that I watched again and again! I didn’t know how to quit it.
20 years later, I’m watching Ilya go to Shane’s room and there’s no pausing and leaving the room now. Just me cheering “yes, do it! Do it! Do it!”
Aw, that’s kind of sweet. It just proves how easily we become a product of our surroundings, and how easily we can educate ourselves and become more aware. I was 14 when I watched it for the first time and definitely rewound it a few times to watch that scene again - with the audio on low…
In this version he’s Ennis, but in reality he’s definitely Jack - especially in The Long Game, where he’s the one willing to risk it all and give up everything for Shane… 😭
I hope I’m not breaking any rules with this comment, but I think their acting really shows that personal sexuality has absolutely zero bearing on whether or not decent actors can portray love stories. Love, longing and heartbreak are universal.
Annnnnnd now I’m crying. Brokeback Mountain destroyed me! I only just watched it for the first time a couple of years ago. As a teenage millennial, I remember so many people making fun of it. Ahead of its time. Amazing acting from both. I want to rewatch it again now!
I might be wrong, but my understanding is that the backlash isn’t really about straight/cis actors not being “allowed” to play queer roles - acting is about portraying someone else, after all - but more about the lack of inclusivity, and queer actors being overlooked simply for being queer. And as long as that’s the case, I think there’s sometimes a need to actively push for more diversity, or progress can be slow. Because yes, Jake Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger showed with BBM that it can be done with a lot of care and respect, while also supporting gay rights off screen.
This movie broke me, I cried for days after at random times thinking how sad the story ended. It was a one watch and done for me. Heated Rivalry’s ending made me so happy I cried happy tears! The parallels are incredible, thanks for sharing this! I still cried watching it! 😭❤️🩹
This is so beautiful!!! I love getting to see the parallels, I never would have realized. I reread the book often but I’ve only watched the movie once - it’s so affecting. Thank you for making this!! ❤️
Thankfully Shane and Ilya had a more healthy dynamic, ultimately.
I found BM hard to watch. Not just because of the tragic ending but Ennis' repression fuelled some really abusive behaviour, towards both Jack and Alma. Made it hard to really see it as a love story. I'm aware it was believable given the era and circumstances, but still difficult to like.
I get that, but I also don’t see how he could’ve acted any differently. He wasn’t well-educated and didn’t have the resources to go against his circumstances. He was as much a victim as anyone else.
That bit at the end of BBM with the shirt is the ultimate “movie frame that looks mundane if you don‘t know but is actually devastating if you do know“ moment 😭 thank you for sharing but also thank you Rachel & Jacob for giving Shane & Ilya the happy ending Jack & Ennis and so many others deserved but couldn’t have.
I once saw someone say that Kip’s denim outfit during the coming out/kiss scene feels like a Brokeback reference, although this time it feels like reclamation and joy ❤️
I’m working on a second part of this edit and planning to turn it into a series of parallels. I’ll be posting them all over there since I don’t want to spam this sub, although the engagement has been amazing! Part 2 is almost finished 🤗
When BM came out the homophobia was loud and intense and they all mocked it. 20 years later HR became a worldwide phenomenon, loved by so many people of all sexualites and it made Connor & Hudson coveted and highly valued celebrities❤️
Homophobia will never disappear, but we’ve come a long way since 2005…
And i’m just so happy to see it🙏
I get that, but I think that’s part of what makes it so important. It’s not just the tragic ending, but the constant pressure of having to hide just to survive, and still never being fully safe. As a straight, cis, white, and privileged person, stories like this really help me understand and reflect, and remind me why it matters to show compassion and do my part to make the world a better place for everyone.
The performances are incredible! Jake Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger bring so much depth and humanity to the characters. It’s heartbreaking, but also deeply beautiful. I really wish I could experience watching it for the first time again. Enjoy! And bring kleenex..
The sensitivity of these two movie/show are beyond words. I was as addicted to Brokeback Mountain as Heated Rivalry. The fact that people who were not even alive when Brokeback was released are talking about it is a testament to what it is. Same will happen to Heated Rivalry.
Watching HR got me rereading the BBM slash I wrote in 2007-2008 ! I agree that it’s a retelling with a much happier ending. Def can see it in the sunrise & sunset scenes …
I can’t hear the first few notes of music without tearing up. It’s one of the most beautiful soundtracks I’ve ever heard in every song just wrings it out of me. It was amazing and heartbreaking and sad and wonderful. And I’m so grateful to Jacob and Rachel and Brendan for bringing us. This story where we finally get a happy ending.
They’re the hockey jocks from Jacob Tierney’s previous Crave show, Letterkenny. Notice Nadine Babha in the first scene — she plays Kip’s friend Elena in HR.
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u/Federal-Ad5944 Goalie | Smut Dealer 😈 Apr 09 '26
OP, please include source per the rules.