Brokeback Mountain: Our Community's Common Bond > Brokeback Mountain Open Forum
Why not read the original short story by Annie Proulx?
Jack_ME:
Hi Donna and Iris and all,
I know just what you both mean. I saw BBM last afternoon for my 10th time. Went with a friend of many years...but we had had a falling out about 6 0r 7 years back and although we would meet in the same social circle of aquaintances and be friendly there, this was the first time he and I spent time together just the two. This was his second viewing. I was pleased he asked to see it with me. He knew I'm really taken with the whole experience and I feel it also affirmed that he trusted me emotionally, as the film really knocked him for a loop on his first viewing and he was a bit nervous to see it again. And it knocked him for a loop again! But it was nice to be able to comfort him just by my presence and then we discussed the film for about 4 hours! (Had dinner too)
I've brought hom tonight "Monster's Ball". I had not seen it, but I had heard that Heath's character in this film is in some ways similar to Ennis, so I'm curious to watch it. I also brought home "Ned Kellley" with Heath and Orlando Bloom, and I got a film, recommended by the video store gal, called "Lovely and Amazing" with Jake. Last week I watched "The Good Girl" and "Donnie Darko" with Jake and previously I had watched "Brothers Grimm" with Heath.
Honest to betsey I never even heard of either of these guys before Brokeback! I'm not that up on my pop culture!
Actually I'm really glad of that, because part of the powerful impact BBM had on me was that I ONLY saw the characters, since I had no clue who any of the actors were!
(side note, my video store is the best in the universe. No lie! It's a single locaton created way back when by a film affecionado, and he employs only other film buffs, and he stocks the most esoteric and fantastic stuff along with the usual new releases etc. It's amazing how many film titles he has in this store, for it's size! Thousands of titles! This comment is just a plug for the wonderful result of following one's interests. which this fellow did)
Well off to supper.
This thread seems to have drifted off topic! Not sure how we handle that. Maybe Phillip can move it to another location? Or maybe it doesn't matter.
Jack in Maine
Aussie Chris:
--- Quote from: Jack_ME on March 20, 2006, 06:41:36 pm ---Honest to betsey I never even heard of either of these guys before Brokeback! I'm not that up on my pop culture!
Actually I'm really glad of that, because part of the powerful impact BBM had on me was that I ONLY saw the characters, since I had no clue who any of the actors were!
--- End quote ---
Hey Jack, just on the subject of Jake and Heath before BBM, the thought of whether I would have a different opinion of BBM if I didn't know their work so well also crossed my mind. Especially when I think of Donnie Darko since before BB, DD was my #1 favourite film. In some ways, DD managed to capture how I see the world, at least in terms of being a bit of a disestablishmentarian. I was therefore a little worried that I would somehow see "Jack" in "Donnie" or vice versa, but to my pleasant surprise I easily separate these characters. It is only when I watch BBM that I see Jack and Ennis. Maybe it's a testiment of their acting, or Ang Lee's direction, but I'm always completely transported into the world of BBM.
Before BBM the only film of Health's I really liked "10 things I hate about you", which I think was his first role in the U.S. I haven't seen Monster's Ball but just about everything else Heath did between "10 things" and "Brothers Grimm" left me thinking what a waste of a movie ticket. Clearly he thought the same thing and he has said as much in a number of interviews.
Jake on the other hand has always been one of my favourites ever since Donnie Darko. He's always great and I've loved just about every film he's been in (except maybe for Day After Tomorrow and Jarhead). If you get a chance check out Moonlight Mile. It's a bit of a slow burn, but Jake's at his Indy best in it.
Congrat's also Jack on rekindling your friendship, what a lovely way to do it over our cherished film...
bbm_stitchbuffyfan:
After hearing some of you guys nit-picking about differences between the story and the book, I must disagree. While it's true that certain mesmerizing aspects of the short story (such as "lil' darlin") were left out, the movie was very faithful to the book. It's remarkable, to me, how accurately the dialogue, characters, and mood is presented in the movie in comparison to Proulx's book. I do wish some of the scenes were in the movie as well but I do think, overall, the movie was a remarkably faithful adaptation. This thread has compelled me to go read the book right now.
Both works of art are beautiful and excellent.
juneaux:
--- Quote from: bbm_stitchbuffyfan on April 25, 2006, 09:10:07 pm ---
Both works of art are beautiful and excellent.
--- End quote ---
I wholeheartedly concur! ;D
Aussie Chris:
--- Quote from: bbm_stitchbuffyfan on April 25, 2006, 09:10:07 pm ---After hearing some of you guys nit-picking about differences between the story and the book, I must disagree. While it's true that certain mesmerizing aspects of the short story (such as "lil' darlin") were left out, the movie was very faithful to the book. It's remarkable, to me, how accurately the dialogue, characters, and mood is presented in the movie in comparison to Proulx's book. I do wish some of the scenes were in the movie as well but I do think, overall, the movie was a remarkably faithful adaptation. This thread has compelled me to go read the book right now.
Both works of art are beautiful and excellent.
--- End quote ---
Was I one of the nit-pickers? I agree, in fact I'm astounded that a short-story could be made into a screenplay and then into a film pretty much unaltered. Has that ever happened before and worked as well? Harry Potter comes to mind but I wouldn't say it worked as well? In BBM, just about all of the dialogue is there, the nuances, the gestures, everything. In my earlier posts I was just commenting that I was grateful that the film retained a subtlety that could have easily been lost with a lesser director. So I'm right there with you on my gushing praise for both works of art. They both give me pleasure in different ways, but in my heart they both are simply the story of Jack and Ennis.
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