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When the critically acclaimed and groundbreaking gay romance dramaBrokeback Mountainlost toCrashfor Best Picture at the 2006 Academy Awards, even presenter Jack Nicholson couldn’t hide his surprise. His“Whoa!”reaction summed up the shock that reverberated among fans who felt Ang Lee’s film was easily the most deserving contender that year.
Brokeback Mountain’sShocking Oscar Loss
According toParade, asCrashwriter-director Paul Haggis admitted:
“Was it the best film of the year? I don’t think so.”
His quote seems to echo the bafflement of audiences at the controversial win of the racial dramaCrashstarringSandra Bullocknow regarded as one of Oscar history’s biggest upsets.
Brokeback Mountainwas expected to make Oscars history in 2006 by becoming the first LGBTQ-themed film to win Hollywood’s top prize. It went into the ceremony with a leading eight nominations, sweeping many critics’ awards, and winning Best Picture trophies at both the Golden Globes and BAFTAs.
So when the bizarre, disjointed racial dramaCrashwas announced as the surprise Best Picture winner, jaws hit the floor inside Hollywood’s Kodak Theatre. Ang Lee had won Best Director shortly before, making the controversial defeat even more unbelievable.
In the years sinceBrokeback Mountainhas only grown in critical stature whileCrashfaced scorn for its ham-fisted themes. The upset is now etched in infamy, considered perhaps the worst Best Picture decision in Oscars history. And it prevented a true landmark in LGBTQ representation from claiming Hollywood’s ultimate recognition when it truly deserved to.
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What was the plot and impact ofBrokeback Mountain?
Based on the 1997 short story by Annie Proulx,Brokeback MountainstarredHeath LedgerandJake Gyllenhaalas cowboys who develop a secret decades-long romance while herding sheep one summer. It depicted their complex relationship and struggle to be together due to societal homophobia and pressures.
Helmed by Ang Lee, the film was groundbreaking for bringing a mainstream gay romance to global audiences in 2005. It received widespread critical acclaim and over $178 million at the box office.
At the 2006 Oscars,Brokeback Mountainwon Best Director, Screenplay, and Score. But the coveted Best Picture award went toCrashinstead, sparking major controversy.
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Why isBrokeback Mountain’sloss considered one of the biggest Oscar snubs?
Aside from Jack Nicholson’s stunned reaction, evenCrashdirector Paul Haggis later admitted his film didn’t deserve the top prize over the far more impactfulBrokeback Mountains. The upset win has since been regarded as one of Oscar history’s most egregious flubs.
Brokeback Mountainis considered a landmark in queer cinema. Its sensitive portrayal of the tribulations faced by its closeted protagonists struck a chord with audiences globally. The film proved that mainstream audiences would embrace unconventional LGBTQ stories told with nuance.
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In the years since it has cemented its status as a modern classic.SoBrokeback Mountainpushing societal boundaries in the 2000s makes its shocking Best Picture defeat an Oscar moment for the ages for all the wrong reasons.
Crashis streaming on Amazon Prime andBrokeback Mountaincan be watched onStarz Apple TV Channel.
Nivedita Dubey
Articles Published :82
Nivedita Dubey has 3 years of extensive experience in copywriting and content writing. She has written news articles for websites like, essentially sports, Comic Book Resources, Nerdstash etc.
