Brokeback Mountain: Our Community's Common Bond > Brokeback Mountain Open Forum
Interpreting the Brokeback poster
Shakesthecoffecan:
Went I look at that poster now, I am transported back two years. My eye is clear and my heart is jumping just a bit. Everything about the image before me is crisp and clean and wholesome.
You have the two guys, but looking down, both with an ever so faint grin upon their mouths, well at least not a frown. They are facing in different directions, almost oblivious to one another, (Ships passing in the night) leads me to think they are actually exiting on two different planes, different places, (otherwise Jack's right shoulder should be there, right?) yet they are linked. Ennis is in the forground, as it is essentially his story. Jack, in the back ground, he looks like he is moving forward, like his is travelling. They are alone with a secret, they cannot look it or you in the eye. I can relate to that very well.
They are set against a back drop of beauty, the Tetons, a lake, a grassy place, a reflection of the Tetons, they are alone, they are the only two people, period.
And there is the text, the prominent name BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN. It is ominous. I have never understood why Proulx came up upon that name for the setting, for the name, but it is very effective. It broke them in a way, it sets a tone that somethings going to be broken. It is like a Venus fly trap, beautiful and seductive, and heartbreaking.
And the last thing you read: Love Is A Force Of Nature. You know what the movie is about, You are being given a universal truth. It is like a shield against whatever adversity comes its way. It is saying: This is real, this is true, like it or not, you are going to have to face this.
Brown Eyes:
Heya,
It occurs to me that the way Jack and Ennis are juxtaposed in the poster reminds me (generally) of how they're arranged in the motel scene...
<img src="http://www.divshare.com/img/midsize/3121410-ad8.jpg" border="0" />
although of course, there's an entirely different situation going on with arms and Ennis is in profile in the poster... but, the way their head's appear joined and Jack's placement seem particularly similar to the poster.
<img src="http://www.divshare.com/img/midsize/2746499-dd4.jpg" border="0" />
myprivatejack:
Yes,it seems to have an a analogy...But,as in the dozy embrace,could it be because Ennis didn´t want to see that was a man whom heo was embracing?I mean, could the poster simbolise there was an eternal denial to put them face to face to each other,it´s to say,with their reality?.
Brown Eyes:
Heya,
Yes, I think it's definitely possible that Ennis's position in the poster and particularly with the image of Jack right behind him (almost in the position of a "thought bubble") that the juxtaposition is meant to imply something about Ennis's denial. I think it may be a double-edged thing. When I think about the poster with this "denial" idea in mind it also strikes me that the position of Jack could imply that Jack is always on Ennis's mind (a driving force in Ennis's thought-process constantly and the factor around which he built his life, etc.).
I think Ennis's rather determined denial and the constant presence of Jack in his thoughts are two huge themes in the film.
serious crayons:
--- Quote from: atz75 on December 29, 2007, 03:36:22 pm --- Ennis's position in the poster and particularly with the image of Jack right behind him (almost in the position of a "thought bubble")
--- End quote ---
Interesting! It could almost be seen as a picture of Ennis with Jack in his thoughts.
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