I didn't say it wouldn't be critically acclaimed or not win awards, I just said that the (I assume) target audience found the concept ridiculous.
That, of course, has no bearing on the actual content of the film, or the direction, or whatever.
I do wonder, however, that this film has everyone up in arms and offended (or trying very hard not to be), and no one is offended or speaking out against the new trend in torture movies (The Saw, Hostel). Kind of a sick statement about our society in general I think.
I totally agree about the "Hostel" point. You could not be more right about that. Look at how many young people saw the "Kill Bill" movies and loved them?
No one who isn't gay is going to see "Brokeback" and decide "Hell, I think I might try that. Nothing good on TV anyway." Anyone who is leaning that way may, possibly, be prompted to talk to someone about what they are feeling. Not a bad thing, as far as I'm concerned.
As for the target audeince issue, I don' see "Brokeback" and "Rent" as being aimed at the same target audience just becasue they both have gay characters. "Rent" was an in your face, flamboyant (which I liked, don't freak out), wheras as "Brokeback" is not onlya subtle drama, but one in a western setting. Totally different audiences.
"Rent" was aimed at the musical thatre crowd, which admittedly includes a lot of gay people, but still, it's more about the music than anything else. "Brokeback" is really not specifically aimed at at a gay audience - it's an Ang Lee movie, which means it's it is not aimed at anyone is particular, it's just aimed at people who appreciate excellence in filmmaking.