When the critically acclaimed and groundbreaking gay romance drama Brokeback Mountain lost to Crash for 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’s Shocking Oscar Loss
According to Parade, as Crash writer-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 drama Crash starring Sandra Bullock now regarded as one of Oscar history’s biggest upsets.
Brokeback Mountain was 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 drama Crash was 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 since Brokeback Mountain has only grown in critical stature while Crash faced 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.
What was the plot and impact of Brokeback Mountain?
Based on the 1997 short story by Annie Proulx, Brokeback Mountain starred Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal as 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 Mountain won Best Director, Screenplay, and Score. But the coveted Best Picture award went to Crash instead, sparking major controversy.
Why is Brokeback Mountain’s loss considered one of the biggest Oscar snubs?
Aside from Jack Nicholson’s stunned reaction, even Crash director Paul Haggis later admitted his film didn’t deserve the top prize over the far more impactful Brokeback Mountains. The upset win has since been regarded as one of Oscar history’s most egregious flubs.
Brokeback Mountain is 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.
In the years since it has cemented its status as a modern classic. So Brokeback Mountain pushing societal boundaries in the 2000s makes its shocking Best Picture defeat an Oscar moment for the ages for all the wrong reasons.
Crash is streaming on Amazon Prime and Brokeback Mountain can be watched on Starz Apple TV Channel.
