American films have never been strangers to controversy. The film Brokeback Mountain has recently followed in the footsteps of its controversial predecessors and has been the source of both praise and debate among critics and the general public.

In the movie, Jack Twist (Jake Gyllenhaal) says to Ennis Del Mar (Heath Ledger), “It’s nobody’s business but ours,” after the two cowboys discover they are physically and emotionally attracted to each other.

However, there are a few people who argue differently — that it is the business of the American viewers, whether they support homosexuality or not, to take a stand on liberal media content.

On Jan. 6, Utah Jazz owner Larry H. Miller pulled Brokeback Mountain from the theater he owns, Jordan Commons Megaplex 17 in Sandy, Utah, at the last minute, after discovering the plot involved a homosexual love story. Miller’s decision created media buzz across the nation, including mention on MSNBC, Access Hollywood, Jay Leno and in The New York Times.

Brokeback Mountain actor Heath Ledger called the cancellation unnecessary and called Latter-day Saint members in Utah immature.

“Personally,” he said, “I don’t think the movie is controversial, but I think maybe the Mormons in Utah do,” according to an article in the Deseret Morning News.

The lovelorn cowboys in Brokeback Mountain have also stirred up negative outbursts from social conservative groups.

Despite the negative attention surrounding the film, Brokeback Mountain took the coveted award for “Best Motion Picture” at the Golden Globe awards and received eight nominations for the upcoming Academy Awards, more than any other film.

“It’s a deeply felt, emotional love story that deals with the uncharted, mysterious ways of the human heart just as so many mainstream films have before it. The two lovers here just happen to be men,” said film critic Kenneth Turan of the Los Angeles Times.

One critic who believes the film, in itself, is not controversial is Neil G. Giuliana, president of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation and former mayor of Tempe, Ariz.

“It’s a movie, not a mandate. If you want to see an original, powerful and emotionally authentic love story, go see it. If not, go shopping,” Giuliana said. “The real story is that many people, straight or gay, have an interest in seeing this film. Not everyone, of course. But there is no real controversy, despite the headlines that a major debate is raging.”

hether Brokeback Mountain is considered controversial or not, it has definitely turned heads and received plenty of positive and negative media attention. And with eight Oscar nominations, including “Best Picture,” the attention won’t be dying out anytime soon.

“I thought it was a small work of love,” director Ang Lee told Reuters. “I never thought it would play like this.”