Michelle Williams reflects fondly on her cherished film, "Brokeback Mountain." During a recent visit to "Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen" to promote her new show, "Dying for Sex," the actress found herself in a heartfelt conversation with host Andy Cohen about the profound impact of the film. Cohen couldn't help but gush, "May I share with you just how vital 'Brokeback Mountain' has been to me? It still ranks among my all-time top two movies. Did you ever realize, while filming, the depth of its impending influence on people?"
Williams responded thoughtfully, "Yes, I did. The openness surrounding it was palpable." She continued, her voice tinged with nostalgia, "I vividly recall the press tour; it's not every day you witness grown men shedding tears. That was the moment we all sensed its uniqueness, its potential to touch hearts."
Released in 2005, "Brokeback Mountain" chronicled the clandestine love affair between Jack Twist (Jake Gyllenhaal) and Ennis Del Mar (Heath Ledger) spanning two decades. Williams and Anne Hathaway portrayed their respective wives. The film garnered three Academy Awards, including Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Original Score, yet notably missed out on the Best Picture honor, which surprisingly went to "Crash," starring Jennifer Esposito, Matt Dillon, and Sandra Bullock.
Cohen expressed his lingering disappointment over the snub, quipping, "I was livid when 'Crash' won Best Picture. I mean, really, 'Crash'?" Williams joined in with a wry smile, "Exactly, who even remembers 'Crash' these days?" Cohen joked back, "Who's even mentioning 'Crash' right now?"
Last year, "Brokeback Mountain's" director, Ang Lee, revealed an anecdote from the Oscars night. He was advised by a stage manager to remain backstage, anticipating a win for Best Picture. "I had just received my award, which was almost last before the big one. As I was exiting the stage, they beckoned me back, saying, 'Stay here. This is your spot. Everyone expects you to win, so stay put,'" Lee recounted. "Right beside the stage was the curtain, with Best Picture up next. I saw Jack Nicholson's profile as he opened the envelope. I thought, 'Oh my God, oh my God.' It felt like an eternity before he announced, and then he said, 'Crash.'"
When asked if he believed the film lost due to discrimination against its gay love story, Lee replied, "I think so, yes."
