>> If it does significantly more than $30 million, are you going to have to revise the numbers of gay, and gay-friendly Americans? <<
No, the contect of what I wrote was that the movie had not yet reached beyond its core audience. If it does better, it would mean that the movie reviewers were at least partly correct that the movie resonated with non-gays, and I would agree, at least in part, with this statement:
>> Word is out on BBM, too, the gay sex scenes are not considered graphic, there is a considerable amount of female nudity instead, and there are positive reviews of the acting, the story, and the cinematography. Going to see it will not mark a man as gay, at least in most suburban American cities. <<
On the other hand, over the past few days, I have been blitzed in three different metro areas (as I am travelling for the holidays) with advertisements for the movie, pushing how it is a certain Oscar winner. The voice-overs proclaim it a beautiful love story (as it shows men hugging and kissing women), and a glorious triumph of the heart (as it shows men huggung their children).
The movie-makers apparently think they can deceive people into thinking it is a heterosexual, family movie... and the movie grosses over the last few days show strong growth.
I don't watch a lot of TV (too busy with my Star Trek Enterprise DVD's these days!) but I agree, they seem to be "Trojan Horsing" this movie into American moviegoers. I think any serious movie fan knows about the gay storyline, though. Even if one heard a rumor, they'd check it out on the Internet, so its not likely to be an enormous shock for too many people.
I can imagine a few movie theatre operators being prepared to give back ticket money, and perhaps might not mind that publicity, as it brings in other people to see what the controversy is all about. I think what the producers of this film REALLY would like is some fire and brimstone words from Jerry Falwell or Pat Robertson. They'll be smart not to say much about the movie.