Brokeback Mountain: Our Community's Common Bond > Brokeback Mountain Open Forum
TOTW 07/07: Was Mr. Twist homophobic?
serious crayons:
--- Quote from: Sagebrush Dan on September 17, 2007, 03:15:40 am ---In the book, when Jack asked Ennis if he missed him, Ennis replied that he realized his biggest mistake was not going after Jack when he drove away in the pickup. Also mentioned that he used Jack as a sexual fantasy quite a bit. However, in the movie, Ennis simply replied, "I don't know."
Also the book mentioned that Ennis was confused by his bisexuality, but the movie makes no mention of this.
Ang Lee basically turned each character into an archetype. It worked, but it would have been nice to see each character as three-dimensional.
--- End quote ---
Interesting. I think of Ennis in the movie as being MORE three-dimensional.
But then, I also think of him as gay rather than bisexual. And I think of him as extremely confused by his sexuality, even though he doesn't mention it aloud. And when he says "I don't know," I think he really does know quite a bit, but again doesn't want to say it.
brokeplex:
--- Quote from: Sagebrush Dan on September 17, 2007, 03:15:40 am ---Yeah, Fran. That was a surprise when I read the book. In the book, when Jack asked Ennis if he missed him, Ennis replied that he realized his biggest mistake was not going after Jack when he drove away in the pickup. Also mentioned that he used Jack as a sexual fantasy quite a bit. However, in the movie, Ennis simply replied, "I don't know."
Also the book mentioned that Ennis was confused by his bisexuality, but the movie makes no mention of this.
Ang Lee basically turned each character into an archetype. It worked, but it would have been nice to see each character as three-dimensional.
--- End quote ---
Excellent point, maybe for the purposes of film making the screenplay was written showing Ennis as far more one dimensional than he was in the short story. In the movie I would like to have seen more of the Ennis that is in Annie Proulx's story, he was a bit more believable. But, the incredible acting skill of Heath Ledger managed to rescue much of that other "dimension" of Ennis with gestures, and facial expressions, even if it is not always reflected in the dialog. On another point, some of Ennis's playful humor is missing in the released version of the movie, but it is in the screenplay. For example, in 1972 when the boys are on their "damned blue parka" trip, Ennis brings Jack a paper sack with cans of beans in it, remembering how Jack hated beans, "No more beans!" I would have liked that bit of humor.
Brown Eyes:
--- Quote from: ineedcrayons on September 17, 2007, 08:53:13 am ---
But then, I also think of him as gay rather than bisexual. And I think of him as extremely confused by his sexuality, even though he doesn't mention it aloud. And when he says "I don't know," I think he really does know quite a bit, but again doesn't want to say it.
--- End quote ---
I think this is a really interesting point about film-Ennis. I think there's a huge disconnect between what he knows or understands internally and what he is willing to say out loud.
Maybe the most extreme manifestation of this (besides the motel scene and the "I don't know") is the pie scene with Cassie. By the time of the pie scene, I think Ennis is much more aware and is at a critical stage of articulating his situation to himself, but he's not able to say much of anything to Cassie in terms of coherently explaining himself to her.
I think in the phone booth, when he actually *talks* to Lureen about Brokeback, this is a signal that Ennis has gone through a change.
moremojo:
--- Quote from: atz75 on September 23, 2007, 05:35:27 pm ---I think in the phone booth, when he actually *talks* to Lureen about Brokeback, this is a signal that Ennis has gone through a change.
--- End quote ---
And isn't it interesting that Alma, as far as we know, and unlike Lureen, never hears the name Brokeback Mountain? Jack was always more articulate than Ennis, and accordingly revealed the name of that sacred place even to those for whom it would have had no meaning.
Artiste:
Was Mr. Twist homophobic?
At times, I did think so !!
At other times, I thought maybe that old man Twist is not homophobic!
Did anyone think that way: yes and then maybe no ??
Moremojo please come back ; we love your posts!!
Moremojo, come back, I need you!! Your posts were delightful!!
Au revoir, to you and to all too!!
Hugs!
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