WHy is HEath a lead and Jake Gyllenhaal a supporting actor?

[kid a]

In Bokeback Mountain, I thought Jake Gyllenhaal was awesome, better than Heath - and the lead character, yet Heath Ledger gets best actor nom?

[laheina]

1. If they were both in the same category

then only one could win. Maybe they put Heath as lead because they though his performance was a stronger contender? :shrug:

[Elidor]

2. Because Heath's agent has bigger balls than Jake's

It's a simple equation.

[SeattleGirl]

3. I think because the story was told more from Health's character's

POV.

[kid a]

6. thanks - that makes sense.

BUt we meet and learn more about Jack Twist's family and past that his character is definitly lead material.
I really liked the movie.

[SeattleGirl]

7. It's actually sort of a toss up.

I loved the movie. Those two actors could say more with a look than lots of actors can say in an entire movie.

[Hissyspit]

9. Ennis (Heath's character) shows up first and is the last seen.

He is the one who is more torn about what to do about his life and the situation/s in which he finds himself. Jack less so - he acts and makes things happen (remember Ennis has to get drunk?) The movie is mostly from his point of view.

[Allenberg]

4. Something about tops and bottoms.

Though its been awhile since I've lived near DuPont, which I miss and love dearly.

:shrug:

[WCGreen]

5. You took the words right outta my mouth...

[Maddy McCall]

8. Because if Jake would have had top billing...

no one would have been able to take the film seriously, because they would have pictured him as that awful Bubble Boy.

[swag]

10. Heath really let you smell it.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

11. because his character is more conflicted and thereby harder

to depict