From Brokeback Mountain producer James Schamus, reacting to talk that Academy Award best actor nominee Heath Ledger was "so brave" to take the role of Ennis Del Mar in that film:

To me, there are worse jobs than kissing Jake Gyllenhaal.

Well, yes. And better jobs, too. Like kissing Heath Ledger.

Meanwhile, if you can take any more commentary about Brokeback Mountain, you should spend a few minutes with "A Picture of Two Americas In 'Brokeback Mountain'," by Stephen Hunter in today's Washington Post.

Pull quote, one of just many worthy potential excerpts:

Finally, the inevitable tragedy and the realization by one man [Ed.: Del Mar] of what a misspent life he's had. How he should have to his own self been true; how happiness has evaded him forever. It's hard to argue that the movie constitutes any kind of threat, or pro-gay propaganda. For one thing, there's too much authentic pain in it, it's too bloody sad. The final image of the aloneness of the survivor is heartbreaking. He was never a crier, of course, but you know inside he's sobbing. The film shows, convincingly, that love comes from the heart, not the glands, and if the heart is engaged, the body follows.

There but for . . . Not really, but you know what I mean.

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