Brokeback Mountain: Our Community's Common Bond > Brokeback Mountain Open Forum
TOTW 09/07: Did it seem like Jack was responsive to Randall's flirtatiousness?
loneleeb3:
I don't think we see him being responsive. I think he did respond (I.E. the lake scene lie) but we don't ever see it.
Like Eric said, it's ambiguous. When Randall threw out his Idea on the bench, Jack was trying to balance his lonliness with his feelings for Ennis. Apparently, as so often happens, the lonliness won out and I believe Jack had a relationship with Randall. But, in response to the question, he was not responsive at the dance.
Front-Ranger:
You're right Lee that he didn't respond at the dance. But he didn't reject him either. And isn't that just as good as saying, hey, let's go for it?!?!? :P
Remember, Jack flirted with the rodeo clown at the bar. Flirting was second nature for him. Meeting Ennis changed his behaviour for a while, but not for life.
Ellemeno:
I've always thought that Jack was not flirting with Randall at the table, though I do think Randall thought for a split second that Jack was asking him to dance.
I've never heard anyone agree with me on this, but I think that when Randall flirts with Jack outside on the bench, Jack looks frozen with the shock of "OMG, am I that obvious that this new guy can tell I'm queer?"
I do think (based on the "ranch fella" remarks of Mr. Twist, and Jack's own story about running around with the ranch foreman's wife) that Jack and Randall develop a sexual relationship, but how deep that relationship was, I don't know. I still think he would have dropped him for Ennis in a flash, if Ennis had given him any hope, or just continued with Ennis as they were, seeing him as much as possible, and just not mentioning Randall.
Brown Eyes:
Thanks Chrissi... glad you like the suggestion. ;D
In my first many, many viewings of this scene I was always convinced that Jack was looking directly at Randall when he asks "want to dance?". It never crossed my mind that he didn't (sort of like I was always totally convinced that Ennis said "I'm sorry" in TS2). In those initial viewings, it just seemed clear to me. But, the more I watch BBM and read discussions here, the more ambigous the whole Randall scene seems.
I do sort of think Jack was flirting at the dinner table. But, I think he was more wary of the situation on the bench. I feel like the look on his face on the bench shows he's less-than immediately enthusiastic about Randall's advances.
By the way... I LOVE the banner picture for the TOTW! :laugh:
LauraGigs:
Randall is shamelessly devouring Jack with his eyes. Lureen's socialite veneer is so close to cracking from boredom and dissatisfaction that she's practically openly questioning Jack's ardor. And LaShawn restlessly claws for conversation and attention amid it all.
The multiple levels of tension at the dining table are palpable, and I think Jack says "wanna dance" as a form of tension-breaking and escape.
(Dancing with chatty LaShawn may not have been paradise, but it was certainly preferable to the cauldron of drama brewing in the preceding hour.)
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