Washington ? President Bush long has cultivated the swagger of a rancher in the Wild West, frequently donning cowboy boots and blue jeans to clear brush on his sprawling Texas property. But on Monday he was noncommittal, and even a bit nonplused, when asked for his reaction to the most talked-about ranching film in years, “Brokeback Mountain.”

Apparently the controversial and critically acclaimed film, featuring the love story of two gay ranch hands, had not piqued the president’s interest. Or – given that his re-election campaign sought the support of religious conservatives with a call for banning gay marriage – it may have been a topic the president simply preferred to avoid.

“I haven’t seen it,” Bush told students and professors at Kansas State University, responding to a question. “I’ll be glad to talk about ranching, but I haven’t seen the movie.”

“Brokeback Mountain” this month won the Golden Globe award for best motion picture drama and top honors from the Producers Guild of America. Through Sunday, it had earned $42.1 million and is showing remarkable success in the conservative, red-state towns and cities that helped re-elect Bush.

“Brokeback Mountain” is showing in at least two theaters in Waco, Texas, the closest city to Bush’s home near Crawford. And it is doing quite well, according to Ben Reynolds, manager of the Hollywood Jewel 16, one of the theaters

But Bush on Monday gave no indication that he intended to see the film when a young man raised the issue near the end of a lengthy, unscripted question-and-answer session.

“You’re a rancher,” the young man said to Bush. “A lot of us here in Kansas are ranchers. I was just wanting to get your opinion on ‘Brokeback Mountain,’ if you’ve seen it yet.”

As the hall filled with nervous laughter, the young man persisted: “You would love it. You should check it out.”

The president appeared as if he wanted to say something about the film. “I’ve heard about it,” he said. “I hope you go – you know … “

He paused, and the hall filled again with nervous laughs. The president appeared to chuckle a bit, perhaps deciding not to say whatever was on his mind.

“I hope you go back to the ranch and the farm is what I’m about to say,” Bush said.

The audience applauded, even though it was not immediately clear what Bush meant. White House press secretary Scott McClellan offered little clarification.

“The student indicated he was a rancher,” McClellan said in an e-mail. “The president was simply saying he hopes he goes back to the ranch. Ranchers and farmers are an important part of our society.”