MovieChat Forums > Broadcast News (1987) Discussion > Gay only makes sense here...

Gay only makes sense here...

posted 16 years ago by KGotschall
33 replies | jump to latest

I am having a hard time 'getting' Brooks' character in this film. I don't understand the descisions his character makes. Unless he were gay.

I serioulsy thought through the entire film till the end that he was gay. And that made sense. It made sense that he would have an attraction/great chemistry with his female producer and never make a move. It would make sense that she would cry whenever she came face to face with the doomed love she obvioulsy had for him. It would make sense that he would profess his love but still do nothing, and she would understand the boundries of their friendship. It would make sense that he would drunkedly kiss her and joke' "I think I definately felt something" without upsetting thoer friendship. It would make sense that he would continually feel slighted and underappreciated by early 80's management if he were openly gay. It would make sense that the executive producer would come to him with an important story about gay rights (yes this happens in the film). It would also make sense that he has a huge crush on the national news anchorman, cares so much about his story making him smile.

Yeah and it would also make sense as Brooks acts pretty gay, too. It is almost like it was written in the script, Brooks had made the choice, run the risk to play the part that way, and at the last minute the filmmakers shrivelled and added a family for him at the end and cut as much gay as they could. This film would have been 1000% better if they had just gone with the risky choice. It would have paid off, as this film may have entered the cannon, instead of being swept under the rug for its datedness and inconsequence.

They really missed(or sunk?) the boat on that one, in my opinion.

They're so flamboyant and melodramatic, it just makes me want to set myself on fire.

[–] Thats_A_Print 15 years ago

Are you gay KGotcshall? You sound like all my gay friends who read into everything and say..." Oh he's gay..." Not once did gay cross my mind in this movie with any of the characters. I have male friends that are in love with me for years now yet they know I only think of them as a friend so they do nothing as they know I will reject them. But they hang on because we are good at being friends and i think they secretly hope that someday I may see the light and fall in love with them too.

Brooks character lacks confidence when it comes to women and that is quite common with highly intelligent not so great looking men. It is a common movie theme.

[–] KGotschall 15 years ago

Okay, you know what??

It has been a while since my OP, I will watch this film again and reassess my position.

But no, I am not gay. I just have good gaydar. Most of the time.

K

And remember my friend, future events such as these will affect you in the future.

[–] liscarkat-2 15 years ago

The character is as straight as a laser beam. But look up any film on IMDB and there'll be at least one 'gay' thread, even if it's just John Wayne and Lee Marvin shooting at each other for two hours.

[–] Walls Of Jericho 14 years ago

It's classic platonic friend syndrome. He wants her, but he's too afraid to make a move for fear it will affect their working relationship. I think he assumes they'll just fall into it someday and it's inevitable. And when he finally does make a move, it's clumsy and angry and spiteful. And afterwards he harbors resentment and anger. He's stunned that she's willing to date the type of person the two of them hate on a professional level. Aaron is not an alpha male, but Tom is. He went after what he wanted with full confidence, the same as he did with his career, even if he didn't seem to have the tools needed. Men like Aaron aren't gay, but people don't seem to have respect for a man who won't persue a woman aggressively to the point they might as well be gay.

[–] chort 13 years ago

NO, Aaron is not queer.

Gott ist tot.
Nietzsche

[–] Tommen_Forever 8 years ago

I am having a hard time 'getting' Brooks' character in this film. I don't understand the descisions his character makes. Unless he were gay.

That tends to happen when you interpret a film through outdated f-cking stereotypes. He outright says he's in love with Jane and you idiots still think he's gay 

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