Nearly two decades after its release, Brokeback Mountain continues to resonate deeply with audiences and those who worked on the groundbreaking film. In a recent interview, Michelle Williams reflected on the emotional press tour and the surprising loss at the 2006 Academy Awards, where the film was widely expected to win Best Picture.
Williams, who played Alma, the wife of Heath Ledger’s character, spoke candidly about the experience during an appearance on Watch What Happens Live. She recalled how emotionally intense the press run was, largely due to the film’s powerful subject matter and the reactions it elicited from viewers. “You’d see grown men crying,” Williams said. “People were so affected. I’d never seen anything like that before.”
Released in 2005 and directed by Ang Lee, Brokeback Mountain told the story of two cowboys who form a deep, romantic bond in 1960s Wyoming—challenging traditional Hollywood narratives around masculinity and love. The film quickly became a cultural milestone, lauded for its sensitivity, performances, and direction. It received eight Oscar nominations and won three: Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Original Score.
However, its loss in the Best Picture category to Crash stunned many and has remained one of the most talked-about moments in Oscar history. Reflecting on that night, Williams jokingly quipped, “What was Crash?”—a comment that highlighted the lasting shock and disappointment that many still associate with the outcome.
Williams’ reflections serve as a reminder of the film’s powerful legacy, not just in awards history, but in how it moved audiences and challenged norms. Today, Brokeback Mountain is regarded as a cinematic landmark, and Williams’ recollections emphasize the emotional depth and cultural importance of the story it told.
