8 Times Film Stars Took On Social 'Norms' On Sexuality
7. ​Jake Gyllenhaal And Heath Ledger In Brokeback Mountain
In Ang Lee's western love story Brokeback Mountain, Jake Gyllenhaal and the late Heath Ledger turned heads as cowboys Ennis and Jack. Their on-screen relationship moved people around the world, drew a lot of positive reception from critics and several awards.
The film turned the world's attention to the kinds of prejudices and personal battles that people involved in homosexual relationships face. Ledger wonderfully portrays Ennis' inner conflicts as he battles with the realisation of his feelings for Jack, his need to live up to society's demands of being married with children and his fear of the prejudices he may face due to his and Jack's relationship.
Meanwhile Gyllenhaal performs excellently as a lover that feels continually picked up and dropped by their seemingly fairweather partner. The reception that Brokeback Mountain got was huge. The support that it attracted and the awards that it received showed that a leading film romance doesn't have to be a tired boy-meets-girl plot to move audiences and opened the door to more LGBT-friendly blockbusters.