Brokeback Mountain: Our Community's Common Bond > Brokeback Mountain Open Forum
TOTW 04/08: Finest acting moments in BBM
Marge_Innavera:
--- Quote from: melb_boy88 on February 16, 2008, 10:34:45 am ---1) Alma's Confrontation With Ennis - This scene work on so meant levels. The way Alma starts off trying to be cold, but slowly becomes so detached and emotionally hurt to the situation. Michele hits Alma at the right levels and the scene could not of been done better. It was like i was reading the book. She hit the right note. In my option she deseverd the Oscar. Apparently she did'nt get it cause she wasnt in the movie enough. But this scene here makes a lot of the movie.
--- End quote ---
I didn't know until recently that this was the first scene that was shot. IMO that's an ongoing creative challenge for film actors: often doing scenes out of sequence but keeping the character development consistent when the scenes are viewed in sequence.
ifyoucantfixit:
I think no one has mentioned this scene within a scene. It is another silent and
very perfectly acted scenes. I am speaking of the waiting for jack to arrive scene. Where
Ennis is looking out the window and smoking that cigarette. He is showing all his hope and
worry at the same time. Will he come or won't he come. Then when he falls asleep in the
chair he looks like he is completely fatigued with his angst about it. Then he hears the
truck on the gravel. He alights and walks to the window. He looks out to see Jack coming
out of his truck. He has the look of abject euphoria on his face. He then takes off nearly
running to the stairs. Im sure in his mine he did ,he made it, hes HERE!!!! A perfect
prelude to the intense connection for the reunion. Wonderful acting. wonderful direction.
Another perfect part in a great job by all.
jstephens9:
--- Quote from: SamChez on February 13, 2008, 09:03:02 pm ---4 me, there is no "acting" in this movie - just honesty.
This from a former actor who sucked (thus former), so what do I know.
All examples cited are extraordinary. Yet, every moment of this movie is so amazingly executed, it moves beyond "acting" into another category entirely. 2 cents.
--- End quote ---
I completely agree it definitely does go beyond "acting" and into another category which doesn't seem to have a name. Or at least I can't think of one.
THE WINGS:
I'm finally contributing to this excellent thread. There are just so many fine acting moments in this great movie.... but the three that always stand out for me, are of course, "The Lake Scene", where Jack and Ennis finally "bare their souls" to each other, albeit in a somewhat confrontational manner. Here I didn't see Heath and Jake, all I could see was Ennis and Jack, two people, very much in love with one another, yet at the same time terribly hurt, although unintennionally, by each other's actions with regard to their relationship over the previous twenty years. An example of what I like to call of "acting that isn't". So honest, and straight forward, yet not melodramatic, or over-the-top.
Then there is "The Phone Conversation", where Lureen plays it so cool and abiguous, just as in the short story, so that you are left with just as many questions as answers (SPOILER) as to the circumstances surrounding Jack's fate.
Finally, there comes to mind the "Closet Scene" where Ennis finds the two entwined shirts. (Tears me to pieces everytime).
So much subtlety, and understatedness throughout the whole movie. No wonder it deserved ALL the awards it received, and those that it didn't receive but should have: the BEST PICTURE OSCAR. Enough said.
THE WINGS
optom3:
So many to mention,but one of my favourites is in the motel scene when Jack says ,that ole brokeback got us good,Ennis says nothing but tenderly rubs/juggles Jacks arm.He is so unable to ever articulate his feelings ,yet I take this to be a form of agreement and aquiesence.I find myself hoping Jack picks up on this gesture.
I also love that Ennis goes to get soup as Jack has said he is fed up of beans,which at least can be taken as a caring gesture,particularly as he has previously said he does not eat soup.
Obviously the reunion scene when Ennis cannot settle,it reminds me of waiting for that first date to arrive.Not only that ,despite appearing completely distracted he obviously has his ears continually pricked awaiting the sound of the truck,
One more of many is when after the first tent scene he sees the sheep with its very heart and guts torn open and ripped away.I continually wonder if this is an analogy to the way Ennis is feeling.
Yet another when Ennis says this one aint got no reins and the look of despair on his face.It is almost as if he is trying to say how can I rein in my emotions.
I laso love the last seen of then together when despite Ennis saying he doesn't think he can stand it any longer,he is still grabbing on to Jacks arm for grim life.
When Ennis is in Jacks room and gently fingers the carved rodeo figurine.It just seems to represent yet another of Jacks shattered dreams.
The final bitter irony seems that unless I have it wrong,the only overture from Ennis to Jack is when he sends a postcard re the November trip.All the others are from Jack to Ennis,yet this is the one that delivered the tragic news.
well that is my condensed version although to be honest there are many many others,hence my complete obsession with the whole Brokeback thing
Lots more but I should I guess this reasonably concise.
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