I think this story is a gay story true enough...But it has so much more than that. It takes all parts of it
to make the impact so strong. When you claim it is just that, it does a disservice to every one of the people
that are not gay that fell in love with it as well. I am one of those people. I can say there are so many layers
to that story, that you can after two years, still find new depths to the meanings in it.
I am sorry that those that want to claim it for a gay only entity. They demean all that they may recieve, in
its other ways as well. It is a very powerful statement of human condition. It has love and pain and the whole
damn thing in there. Its not a story to try and say gays are better or worse than anyone else. I think it is
just telling a story about two beautiful young men, that fell in love. The pain and sorrow it shows them going
through, is making us see how things should be and could be better for all. If people could just leave love
to work itself out. Without, all the negative outside issues other people bring to bear on that love. Let be, let be.
I get frustrated at folks that are unhappy with it not being gay enough. Or it being too shocking, or not
sympathetic enough to Jack, or Ennis. Or not paying off the mean people, like Aguirre...It can not in the time frame of a short story or movie, tell every little issue that they wish to cover completely...It opens the
little windows, and moves on, leaving you the ability to look further, if you have the inclination to do so.
It is never going to answer all the questions, or be militant enough for some...And for others it is too militant, and shoving something in their face.
It is a beautiful piece of fiction and a wonderful film. Amazingly rendered by the writers, the film makers and the beautiful actors. It came together at a specific time and place, and built a piece that will live forever.
It is a glorious entity, and we should appreciate it for what it does...not tear it down for what we think it
didn't do, that we as individuals might like to have seen differently.....That is selfish in my estimation.
I suppose I need to clarify, better. I too feel that Jack had to die. I think he was the savior that Ennis
may be redeemed. I have stated this in other threads before..There are so many references to him being the good shephard...Carrying the sheep on his shoulders, and crossing over the symbolic and literal river...With the
weight on his shoulders, is to me the most obvious. His helping the lamb with the thorn, and many more that are obvious portrayals... Without his death, the entirety would have been rather meaningless. He offered himself up, both figuratively and literally for Ennis's salvation.
Sorry if this steps on any toes..