Film puts Utah in spotlight — again

Before the 2002 Olympics, the world eyed Utah nervously, wondering if the state's stringent liquor laws would inhibit spectators' ability to imbibe. Tourists soon discovered that not only can you buy a beer in Utah, there are even a few microbreweries.

Now, Utah's predominant culture is again being judged. This time because one theater owner, at the last minute, pulled a film about gay cowboys.

On Monday, Jay Leno poked fun at the move by Utah Jazz owner Larry H. Miller, saying: "A movie theater in Utah abruptly cancelled a screening of the movie 'Brokeback Mountain.' They felt it was inappropriate for the community standards. Instead they ran 'Deliverance.' "

Heath Ledger, who plays one of the cowboys in "Brokeback Mountain" said that "maybe the Mormons in Utah" believe the film was controversial and that the move to pull it was "very immature" of a society.

Even visiting speaker Michael Eric Dyson, author of "Is Bill Cosby Right?" took a moment during a Martin Luther King Jr. speech to poke fun at the move. He said maybe it's unsettling to see "two regular cowboys who look heterosexual to us, who might want to share something more than a saddle ride."

Many in the state applauded Miller's decision. Fact is, however, thousands of Utahns — including some members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints — have seen the film. It even opened Friday in Utah County, often considered the nation's most conservative county.

The chatter outside the state could equate to "basic ignorance, especially in this case — people not knowing much about the Mormon Church," said Glen Feighery, communications professor at the University of Utah, who studies religion and ethics.

Tori Baker, president of the Salt Lake Film Society, said 8,798 people saw the film the week of Dec. 30, breaking "New York Doll's" opening week record of 2,575. Her theaters ranked 10th and 12th in the nation for ticket sales during the film's first week of showing.

"That's outstanding for us," she said. "Usually Salt Lake City doesn't turn up in the realms of New York, L.A., Chicago."

Feighery said the global attention to Utah definitely involves faith, Miller's prominence and the controversy over the movie.

He found it interesting that most, if not all, observers have made the assumption that Miller pulled the movie because of his faith. However, Miller hasn't said why he pulled the movie. His wife, Gail, was reached by phone this week and declined to comment.