Reply #231: That's why I'm suspecting a cabal to vote for "Crash"

[kdpeters]

I'm not saying it's homophobia, but compared to the other four movies, "Crash" just didn't stack up. I saw all five and thought "Crash" worthy of it's nomination, but clearly tied for last among the other four. My own personal choice for nomination would be "King Kong" rather than "Crash", but of the other four "Brokeback Mountain" is clearly the best of the best. "Capote" and "Good Night, and Good Luck" were close second tier. "Munich" was good, but "Crash" was better. If Capote or GNaGL had won, I think I would have simply chalked it up to a close vote. If it had been "Munich", I'd have thought the Academy was giving deference to Steven Speilberg. But, with "Crash", I have no clue as to why it won best picture. It wasn't even close to BBM, Capote, or GNaGL.

As such, I can't help but to assume homophobia played a role. The other factor I can fathom is that "Crash" is the hometown LA favorite and the sheer volume of stars in the film put it over the top with Academy members voting for their friends. Consider Don Cheadle, Sandra Bullock, Matt Dillon, and Ryan Phillipe.

Knowing the people I know in LA, and knowing the general Big City west coast reaction to BrokeBack Mountain, it wouldn't surprise me if there weren't also a little urban bigotry toward a rural life that they just simply cannot grasp. But I've lived it, I know the farmers and ranchers that talked just like Ennis Delmar. I know what it's like to be so homophobic, you can't admit to yourself that you're gay even though you're having sex with another man. But many of my San Francisco gay brethren simply can't get past the mumbling, dialogue and accent or the honest denials of homosexuality as manifestations of a conflicted soul. But I know Ennis and Jack. I know they could have been me. And I know the director and producers got it right. Perfect almost. So much so that I could see myself in those characters.

So, no. I wouldn't be quick to assign homophobia as the reason BBM didn't win; It could be part homophobia; part urban bigotry toward rural lifestyles and Southern/Western accents; part the preference for hometown themes and stars.

But make no mistake, Hollywood blew it!! They chose a second tier film and three top-tier movies were ripped off for whatever reason.