After 20 years, Michelle Williams still doesn’t understand howBrokeback Mountainlost the Best Picture Oscar toCrash. Williams starred alongside Jake Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger in Ang Lee’s acclaimed 2005 neo-Western about the long-term romantic relationship between a pair of cowboys. While Lee went on to win the Best Director award at that year’s Oscars,Brokeback Mountainwas denied the night’s big prize,losing Best Picture toCrash, in what is widely considered one of the biggest Oscar injustices ever perpetrated.
Twenty years afterBrokebackfell toCrashon Oscar night, star Williams still can’t understand how the upset happened, conveying bafflement over the oft-maligned result, while outright dismissing the winning film, whose reputation has not held up well over the decades. In a recent interview, Williams detailed why she knewBrokeback Mountainwould be special, even before the film was released (viaWatch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen):
Yes because people were so open about it. I just remember doing the junket. You don’t really get an opportunity to see a lot of grown men cry. That was the moment that I think that we all knew that it was going to be special.
Asked about the big Oscar night upset, Williams had a simple reply that sums up how history feels aboutCrash:
What Williams’ Crash Remark Means For Brokeback Mountain’s Legacy
History Is On Her Side
Brokeback Mountainwent into the 2006 Oscars as one of the favorites, scoring eight nominations overall, with stars Gyllenhaal, Ledger and Williams all up for awards.Crash, on the other hand, seemed only a minor contender with five nominations.Lee’s Best Director win seemed to set upBrokebackfor a big night, butCrashcrashed the party, walking away with the top honor.
Ledger was not present forBrokeback Mountain’s Oscar-night loss, as he refused to attend the ceremony due to jokes about the movie’s storyline
Williams’ latest remarks aboutBrokeback Mountain’s Oscar-night loss encapsulate history’s verdict on what happened at the 2006 Oscars. Twenty years on from that Best Picture upset,Brokebackis by far the better-regarded film, continuing to resonate with audiences, whileCrashis dismissed as an empty shell of a movie that, confusingly, caught a wave of critical acclaim upon its release, but has held up poorly. Lists of the worst Best Picture winners frequently includeCrash, whileBrokeback’s snubbing is routinely ranked among the most egregious ever.
Our Take On Williams Still Being Bothered By Crash’s Oscar Win
She’s Not Alone In Slamming Crash
It should come as no surprise that Williams remains confused about howCrashmanaged to pull off its Oscar-night victory overBrokeback Mountain. She knows what an important movieBrokebackis to a lot of people, and felt the emotion it was creating even during the press junket before release. That emotion was supposed to crest with a big win on Oscar night, but for whatever reason, the final prize was snatched away. Time has vindicated those like Ledger and Williams who championedBrokebackin the face of jokes and backlash, while relegatingCrashto the discard pile.
The Biggest Oscar Snubs Ever, According To Reddit
The Academy Awards might be the premier movie ceremony, but they can get things wrong too. Redditors point out the worst snubs of all time here.
