Introduction

R. Dennis Shelby

My introduction to Brokeback Mountain came several weeks before I actually saw the film. A number of patients were profoundly moved, their associations filled up my consulting room and my mind. One man developed florid and informative transferences to Jack and Ennis and the actors who played them. He was clearing smitten, in a way, in love, for the first time since his partner died of AIDS many years ago. Another man fell into deep despair, he was convinced that he would never have even a small taste, of the bond that Jack and Ennis had. Another man was propelled into treatment. The referral process had been long, intermittent and actually began in the summer. First an email, but no return phone call. Several months later, a phone call, but again, no return call. Finally in the winter, another phone call, this time he added that he was aware that he had been not following through, this time was for real and he desperately needed to get to work. We made an appointment for the following day. He explained that he had seen the film Brokeback Mountain and had realized that he was dying, that he had to do something, else he would meet the same fate as Jack and Ennis.

The film moved many people in many ways, and was extraordinary in the way it conveyed complex psychological issues. After hearing Ralph Roughton give a shorter version of this paper at the Winter Meeting of the American Psychoanalytic Association I asked him to let us post it for the newsletter. He kindly agreed, so here is the full version. As always submissions for future editions are appreciated.

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